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CONTAINED IN THE SEASIDE LIBRARY (POCKET EDITION): 


NO. PRICE. 

82 Sealed Lips 20 

104 The Coral Pin. First half 20 

104 The Coral Pin. Second half 20 

204 Piedouclie, a French Detective .... 10 

328 Babiole, the Pretty Milliner. First half . . .20 

328 Babiole, the Pretty Milliner. Second half . . 20 

453 The Lottery Ticket 20 

475 The Prima Donna’s Husband 20 

522 Zig-Zag, the Clown; or, The Steel Gauntlets . . 20 

523 The Consequences of a Duel 20 


648 The Angel of the Bells 20 

697 The Pretty Jailer. First half 20 

697 The Pretty Jailer. Second half 20 

699 The Sculptor’s Daughter. First half ... 20 

699 The Sculptor’s Daughter. Second half . . .20 

782 The Closed Door. First half 20 

782 The Closed Door. Second half 20 

851 The Cry of Blood. First half 20 

851 The Cry of Blood. Second half 20 

918 The Red Band. First half . . . . 20 

918 The Red Band. Second half 20 

942 Cash on Delivery 20 









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r 

b 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


CHAPTEE I. 

It was a cold, stormy winter's night. The wind was 
blowing a gale and the rain and sleet cut and stung the 
faces of the unfortunate pedestrians who were laboriously 
making their way up the broad Boulevard Montmartre, 
like a thousand tiny whip-cords. As a natural consequence 
they endeavored to shield their faces with their umbrellas, 
and this being the case, collisions were of frequent occur- 
rence. 

“ Take care, you nearly knocked me down!" exclaimed 
one victim. 

“Confound you! you've ruined a hat for me, and a 
brand-new one at that. " 

After this interchange of amenities, the two men lifted 
their umbrellas high above their heads, and looked at each 
other. 

“What! is it you?" they both exclaimed, in the same 
breath. 

They were both young, but they did not resemble each 
other in the least. 

One was tall, slender, dark-complexioned and remarka- 
bly handsome. The other had broad shoulders, a slight 
tendency to embonpoint, chestnut hair, a full beard of the 
same color, and a face, not ugly, but insignificant, which 
is a thousand times worse. 

Though he was the elder of the two men he certainly 
could not have been more than twenty -five years of age. 


8 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


“ What a piece of good luck!** exclaimed the dark-com- 
plexioned youth. “ Do you know, my dear Gustave, that 
we have not met since we were comrades in the 24th 
Dragoons at Dinan?** 

“ That was in *79, my friend, more than six years ago, 
and I am delighted to see you again. What are you doing 
now, and how does life serve your** 

“ Tolerably well, my dear fellow. I am acting as La- 
bitte*s private secretary, now.** 

“ Labitte, the banker on the Rue d*Enghien? A good 
house that.** 

“ Excellent, and I am very nicely fixed there. My fa- 
ther was an intimate friend of my employer, who treats me 
like a spoiled child.** 

“ You get about three hundred francs a month, proba- 
bly? 7 * 

“ Five hundred; and I ho])e to soon have an interest in 
the business. And you, Gustave, how are you getting 
on?** 

“ Oh, I*ve no particular cause to complain; I*ve been 
speculating a little of late, and with very fair success.** 

“ You have some capital, then?** 

cc Yes. You wonder at it, of course; as I was not roll- 
ing in wealth by any means when we were both members 
of the same regiment. The truth is, I was not born a 
millionaire. My mother had to strain every nerve to raise 
the necessary amount to save me from the three years of 
obligatory military service; and the poor woman died, leav- 
ing me nothing but debts to pay. She was a widow, so my 
prospects were by no means brilliant, but I’ve managed to 
get along all the same.** 

“I congratulate you. I should certainly have had a 
hard time of it if I had been in your place. How did you 
manage it?** 

“ Oh, I have a natural talent for speculation, I think. 
Besides, in Paris, a little shrewdness is all one needs to 


CASH OX DELIVERY. 


9 


start one on the road to fortune, and though I am not rich 
yet, I shall be sooner or later, and in the meantime, I am 
living very comfortably. I have been very lucky, it is 
true, inasmuch as a large capitalist has taken a fancy to 
me, and given me an interest in his operations, and as I am 
generally fortunate, I have made a good deal of money 
already. If you have any capital to invest you had better 
apply to me. I will see that it is put where it will yield 
you handsome returns / 9 

“ I have none, unfortunately.” 

“ I thought your parents were very rich.” 

“ They had four or five hundred thousand francs worth 
of real estate in the department of Ille et Vilaitie, and that 
was all my father left at his death. My mother, who re- 
sides in Rennes, has half the income, and I get along very 
nicely on the other half and my salary. ” 

“ A total of above twelve thousand francs per annum, 
as the English say. That is not an enormous sum, but 
one can live very comfortably on it; besides, you are just 
the fellow to make a wealthy marriage. You are contem- 
plating one now, I am sure.” 

“ You are very much mistaken. I am only an insignifi- 
cant clerk. No heiress would look at me.” 

“ You are too modest. You have a name, to say noth- 
ing of your personal attractions. Robert de Becherel — 
that sounds well — and I know plenty of rich young girls 
who would be proud to bear it. Under the Republic rank 
is an even more desirable possession than in times past. 
You are a prize in the matrimonial market, while I, Gus- 
tave Piton, shall not be considered an eligible parti until I 
become the possessor of a couple of millions at least.” 
cc I hope that happy day will soon dawn, my friend. I, 
myself, am less ambitious. I shall be perfectly satisfied to 
marry some well-bred and pretty girl, with a fortune about 
equal to my own.” 

“ In that case, I know the very person you are looking 


10 


CASH OK DELIVEBY. 


for. She has five hundred thousand francs in cash, and 
expectations; twenty-four years old, and an orphan; very 
handsome, very intelligent and very well-bred. Has a 
childless uncle who is wealthy, apoplectic, and a sexagen- 
arian. She has been from childhood under the care of a 
highly respectable lady — a countess, by the way, who is 
very anxious to marry her ward to a nobleman. I'll in- 
troduce you to her whenever you like." 

“ Oh, I'm in no hurry about it." 

“ But you do not absolutely refuse, and I feel sure that 
you will thank me for introducing you into one of the 
pleasantest and most popular houses in Paris. I am on 
my way there now, and I'll take you with me." 

“ This evening? What can you be thinking of? Iam 
not in evening dress; besides, I'm covered with mud." 

“ So am I, for that matter, but we can have our boots 
blacked a few steps from here, and then take a carriage. 
It is not one of my lady's grand reception days, so you will 
be graciously received, even in a frock coat." 

“ But under what pretext will you take me there, sim- 
ile ton?" 

“ I am a friend of the family, and have full permission 
to bring any old comrade I please. I can insure you a 
hearty welcome and a very pleasant time, and you needn't 
feel under the slightest obligation to pay court to Made- 
moiselle Herminia des Andrieux, the heiress in question, 
unless you choose." 

“ Her name is Herminia, then?" exclaimed Bobert, 
bursting into a hearty laugh. 

“ Alas! yes. It is her only fault, however. But I re- 
peat that you will be perfectly free to do as you please. 
Once introduced to the countess, you can either listen to 
some very excellent music, take a seat at the card- table, or 
have a chat w r ith some very agreeable ladies — just as the 
mood seizes you. " 

“ So they play there?" 


CASH OX DELIVERY. 


11 


“ Oh, yes; whist, ecarte and other innocent games. 
Don’t fancy I’m trying to inveigle you into a gambling- 
den, though, if I remember rightly, you were not afraid of 
a little baccarat in days gone by. At Madame de Mai- 
voisine’s they play only for amusement, however, and the 
evening usually ends with a dance, followed by a nice little 
supper.” 

“Yet you say this is not her regular reception night. 
What do they do there on gala occasions?” 

“ Nothing more. To tell you the truth, there is always 
a good time going on at the house of this kind-hearted 
countess, and when you’ve once had a taste of it, I predict 
that you’ll cry for more. The programme for to-night is 
rather attractive, you must admit. ” 

“ Yes, if it were not for that introduction with a view to 
matrimony. ” 

“ Oh, set your mind at rest upon that score. The fair 
Herminia doesn’t want for suitors, and will not see a possi- 
ble one in you. You’ll have a chance to see her, and the 
sight will cost you nothing. Come, let us step into the 
bootblack’s.” 

Robert still retained a very pleasant recollection of his 
former acquaintance with this good-natured friend, and 
was by no means loath to renew it. Besides, Robert dearly 
loved surprises, and the idea of spending the evening at the 
house of this countess whom he had never seen, seemed 
both original and amusing to him. He said to himself that 
it might be necessary for him to be a little on his guard, in 
this unknown world into which his friend was about to 
take him, but he felt sure of not compromising himself, 
though he had a weakness for card-plaving. This weak- 
ness his father had transmitted to him with his blood, for 
this father had lost at least half of his fortune at the card- 
table; but Robert, protected by the very smallness of his 
income, had succeeded in curing himself of this hereditary 
fault; at least he thought so. He therefore decided. 


12 


CASH OH DELIYEKY. 


though not without some hesitation, to accept the invita- 
tion of this agreeable friend, and when the operation of 
restoring the polish their boots had lost on the muddy 
boulevard was concluded, they both entered a carriage they 
were fortunate enough to find on the corner of the Rue 
Vivienne. 

But had Robert known what was in store for him, he 
certainly would never have set foot in that vehicle. 

Where does your friend the countess liver” he in- 
quired. 

“ At the upper end of the Rue du Rocher. It is quite a 
distance, but it is only nine o’clock, so we shall get there 
in very good season. You will have an opportunity to hear 
Mademoiselle Violette, who sings divinely.” 

“ And who is Mademoiselle Violette?” 

“ Mademoiselle Herminia’s music teacher, and a very 
pretty girl she is, upon my word! But she hasn’t a penny 
unfortunately, so I advise you not to turn your eyes in that 
direction. ' But what nonsense! You have a sweetheart, 
of course. I am almost sure you were going to see her 
when I met you. ” 

“ You are very much mistaken, my dear fellow. I have 
no sweetheart, and when we ran into each other a few 
minutes ago, I was just returning from the Rue de 1 ’Ar- 
cade, where my employer had sent me to deliver ten thou- 
sand francs to a client I did not find at home, unfortu- 
nately. ” 

“ So you still have the ten thousand francs in your 
possession?” inquired Gustave. 

“ Certainly,” replied Robert, and as the banking-house 
on the Rue d’Enghien is now closed, I shall not be able to 
return the money to the cashier until morning. But why 
do you ask the question?” 

“ Why, because they play cards at the house of the 
countess, as I said before,” replied Gustave, 46 and if you 
should allow yourself to yield to temptation — ” 


CASH OJs DELIVERY. 


13 


“ What do you take me for? This is not the first time 
I have carried large sums of money that did not belong to 
me, and I assure you that I have never felt the slightest 
inclination to touch them. " 

“ Oh, I don't doubt your honesty in the least, only ‘ the 
man who has drunk, will drink/ the proverb says. You 
used to be very fond of cards; you must still be fond of 
them, and you always will be fond of them, so perhaps the 
opportunity only is lacking. I wanted to warn you of the 
danger, that is all. Still, even if you should lose the ten 
thousand francs, you would be able to refund the money. 
Real estate was made to be mortgaged, you know. Yours 
is still free from incumbrance, I suppose?" 

“ Yes, and I hope it always will be." 

The conversation ceased here, and about fifteen minutes 
afterward the carriage drew up in front of an iron gate- 
way on the Rue du Rocher. 

“ Here we are," remarked Gustave, opening the car- 
riage door. “It is still raining. I have a great mind to 
keep the carriage." 

“ As you please." 

“ Then I will do so, provided you allow me to pay the 
coachman when he takes us home. You are my guest, 
and it is only fair that I should defray the expenses of the 
evening's entertainment." 

And leaping from the carriage, Gustave gave an order to 
the coachman before ringing the bell. 

Robert alighted in his turn, and saw that the house was 
eminently respectable in appearance, though not large. 
Every window from basement to garret was brilliantly 
lighted; three handsome private coupes were standing before 
the door, and in the court-yard stood a servant in livery, 
armed with an umbrella, which he held over each newcomer. 

The friends divested themselves of their overcoats in a 
hall that strongly resembled a conservatory, so lavishly was 
it adorned with rare exotics, and were then ushered into a 


14 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


clrawing-room where they found about twenty persons as- 
sembled. 

The majority of the guests were men, but there were 
several ladies, at least three of whom were young. The 
others were of an uncertain age, but still had some preten- 
sions to good looks. In the center of the largest feminine 
group the Countess de Malvoisine sat enthroned — an im- 
posing matron, with a very low-necked dress, and blazing 
with diamonds. 

When Robert de Becherel, escorted by his friend, ad- . 
vanced to pay his respects to her, a low murmur of admira- 
tion rose from the ladies, who unanimously declared him 
charming. 

Gustave presented him to the countess, who received 
him very graciously, and when Robert apologized for not 
being in evening dress, she said suavely: 

“ With a name like yours, one doesn't need to be in full 
dress to be welcome anywhere. I am delighted to see you, and 
very grateful to our friend Gustave for bringing you here . y> 

Robert bowed his thanks for the compliment, but had 
considerable difficulty in repressing a strong desire to laugh. 

The countess seemed a rather grotesque person to him; 
and he already began to feel strong doubts of the authen- 
ticity of the title she bore. 

“ From this moment my house is open to you," she con- 
tinued graciously, “ and I hope to see you here often. 
How make yourself perfectly at home. Gustave will pilot 
you through my salon, where you will find that every one 
does exactly as he pleases." 

66 We will begin by paying our respects to Mademoiselle 
Herminia," exclaimed Gustave, pushing Robert toward the 
piano, by which three young ladies were standing, talking, 
only a few steps from a table where two gentlemen were 
playing ecarte, surrounded by several other guests. 

The center of this little group, which any lover of the 
classics would undoubtedly have compared to the Three 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


15 


Graces, the handsome Herminia instantly attracted atten- 
tion by reason of her almost masculine stature. 

One could see her from afar off, and there could be no 
doubt that she was the heiress Gustave had described. 
There was something in her very bearing that proclaimed 
the richly dowered maiden who looks down sujierciliously 
upon other young people from the height of her grandeur. 
She seemed to say, 4 4 Adore me. I shall be worth a million 
some day. ” 

She was really very handsome, and would have been a 
great belle under the Directory unquestionably. The happy 
possessor of rather coarse but regular features, large black 
-eyes, superb shoulders, and a majestic figure, she would 
have been adorable dressed as Mine. Tallien dressed in 
Barras’s time; but the costume of the present day that 
suits sveltes forms so well was less becoming to her, as it 
revealed her rather massive proportions too plainly. In 
short, Herminia lacked both grace and distinction; but to 
oompensate for this she possessed a complexion of wonder- 
ful freshness, and. dazzling white teeth that she displayed 
freely on all occasions. 

Robert was neither charmed nor intimidated when pre- 
sented to her by his friend. He confined himself to bowing 
politely, leaving to the obliging Gustave the task of sound- 
ing the praises of his friend M. de Becherel, a gentleman 
of ancient lineage. 

The aristocracy were evidently held in high esteem in 
Mme. de Malvoisine^s drawing-room, and seemed to be the 
subject of frequent discussion there, for Mile. Herminia 
remarked graciously: 

44 The name of Becherel is one of the oldest in Bur- 
gundy. ” 

44 1 do not know whether there are any Becherels in Bur- 
gundy or not,” replied Robert, smiling, 44 but I am sure 
that my family does not belong in that province. ” 

44 You are from Brittany, are you not, sir?” asked one 


16 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


of the other young ladies— a dark-eyed blonde, with a very 
sweet voice. 

“ Yes, mademoiselle. Can it be that you are a com- 
patriot of mine?” 

“ No, monsieur; but when I was a child I spent several 
years at the Convent of the Visitation in Rennes, and I re- 
member the name very well. It was borne by a lady who 
was justly considered one of the kindest and most generous 
friends of the sisterhood. ** 

u It must have been my mother, mademoiselle. She 
and I are the last of the Becherels. ** 

“ These reminiscences are very interesting,” said Her- 
minia, dryly; “ but I am sure that these gentlemen would 
like to hear you play, my dear Violette, so do me the favor 
to seat yourself at the piano. * * 

Violette* s eyes drooped, and she obeyed without a word.. 
The poor girl was not there for her own pleasure. The 
countess paid her to play, so play she must; but she cer- 
tainly had a right to think that her ungrateful pupil was 
punishing her too severely for having ventured to take part 
in the conversation for an instant. 

Robert, incensed by this display of arrogance on the part 
of the heiress, was strongly tempted to make a stinging 
retort. He was also seized with a profound compassion for 
the unfortunate musician who was subjected to the humilia- 
tion of being treated as a servant by the necessity of earn- 
ing her own livelihood. 

Gustave gave him a warning glance; and just as he did 
so Mme. de Malvoisine called her young charge, who bowed 
coldly to the gentlemen and walked away, evidently much 
displeased, to rejoin the countess. 

The third young lady — an insignificant blonde — followed 
Herminia, and the two friends were left standing alone near 
the piano. 

“ Well, what do you think of the majestic Herminia?*" 
asked Gustave. “ Confess that she is magnificent.** 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


17 


“ One couldn't find a finer Goddess of Liberty. She re- 
minds me of the statue of Marseilles on the Place de la 
Concorde.” 

“ You are certainly hard to please. I admit that she 
hasn't a wasp-like waist; but I, for my part, greatly prefer 
her to that puny-looking governess who seems to have 
taken your fancy. '' 

“ Each one to his taste, my dear fellow.” 

That is true; and as I did not come here to flirt with, 
the young ladies, I am going to try ni} T luck at ecarte 
awhile. There is plenty of money to be won here; and I 
shouldn't be sorry if my evening yielded me a hundred louis 
or so. '' 

“ I wish you good luck, I am sure. '' 

“ That is to say you intend to take yourself off after the 
English fashion, without saying anything to anybody. Just 
as you please. I brought you here because I thought you 
would enjoy yourself; but you are not obliged to remain if 
you are beginning to find it tiresome. I advise you to wait 
awhile, however. In the first place, you will have an op- 
portunity to hear your favorite. Mademoiselle Violette, who 
has remarkable musical talent; and in the second place., 
the rooms are just beginning to fill up. There is a crowd 
of new-comers now and several ladies, you see. Possibly you 
will find some one more to your taste. But in any case, I 
hope we shall see each other again. Where do you liver” 

“ No. 29 Faubourg Poissonniere. And you?” 

“ No. 24 Eue Drouot. I am not often at home; but you 
need only drop me a line to find me at any time. We will 
dine together any day you name.” 

Having said this, Gustave walked to the card-table, and 
Eobert approached Mile. Violette, who was looking over 
the music portfolios in search of the piece she was to play. 

No one was paying any attention to her; and Eobert, see- 
ing that her eyes were full of tears, endeavored to console her. 
“ Will you permit me to play your accompaniment^ 


18 


CASH OX DELIVERY. 


mademoiselle r” he said, gently. 44 I am not a very brilliant 
performer; but if the music is not too difficult I think I 
can manage it. ” 

“ Thank you, monsieur; but I am in the habit of play- 
ing my own accompaniments,” murmured the young girl, 
who was evidently greatly embarrassed. 

44 Very well. I will turn the pages for you then. Please 
do not send me away. I have met you this evening for the 
first time, and yet it seems to me that I have known you 
for years. ’ * 

44 I must admit that I can not rid myself of a similar 
impression,” said the young girl, forcing back her tears, 
44 though I am very sure that we never met before.” 

4 4 1 am equally sure of it, for if I had ever seen you I 
should not have forgotten it. But there is already a bond 
between us — my mother's name — that you heard in days 
gone by, and that you have remembered. We were evi- 
dently predestined to meet some day; and I feel very grate- 
ful to my friend Gustave for bringing me this evening to a 
house where I never set foot before.” 

“ And which you will never visit again, I presume?” 

44 I certainly had no intention of doing so a few moments 
ago, but I have changed my mind. It would be too much 
of a deprivation never to see you again.” 

Mile. Yiolette blushed to the very tips of her little ears; 
but instead of making any reply to this complimentary 
speech she struck a few chords, apparently at random, upon 
the piano. Bobert perceived that she had beautiful hands 
— the hands of a duchess, white and slender, with pink, 
almond-shaped nails — and lowering his voice, he added: 

44 1 shall come again, but solely on your account, as I 
can see you only at the house of this countess, who doesn't 
impress me very favorably, I must admit.” 

This time Yiolette turned pale; and drawing up her slen- 
der form haughtily she replied, without pausing in her pre- 
lude: 


19 


CASH OX DELIVERY. 

Ci Why do you speak to me in this way? Ido not deserve 
that you should treat me as if I were one of those silly 
women who are flattered by any commonplace compliment. 
You evinced sympathy for me just now, and I feel grateful 
to you for your interest in a poor and friendless girl; but 
that is no reason why you should amuse yourself at my ex- 
pense.^ 

Then seeing that Robert was about to protest, she added* 
firmly: 

“ Do not deny it. To hear you one would suppose you 
had fallen in love with me at first sight; but I am neither 
a simpleton nor a coquette, and I know exactly what such 
protestations are worth. Do not attempt to thus mar my 
peace of mind. I have trouble enough now. What would 
my existence be if I should listen to you?” 

The deep feeling that was so apparent beneath the sound 
good sense of this appeal surprised and charmed Robert de 
Becherel, who was utterly unprepared for it. 

“ I swear to you that I will never be guilty of a similar 
offense again, mademoiselle,” he said, earnestly; “ and now 
I have given you this assurance, will you allow me to re- 
main near you while you sing?” 

“ Very willingly, ” exclaimed the young girl, who seemed 
to have regained all her wonted cheerfulness. “ As you 
accept my conditions, I shall be delighted to talk with you:; 
and there is nothing to prevent it, for I am not going to 
sing. What would be the use? They would not listen to 
me. * 9 

“ These gentlemen and ladies do not evince much desire 
to hear you, strange as it may appear. They are all chat- 
tering like magpies; and I really can not understand why 
Mademoiselle Herminia asked you to go to the piano.” 

“ The same thing happens almost every evening. The 
habitues of the house like to talk to the sound of instru- 
mental music provided it is not too loud. It drowns the 
asides, you see. If I should sing they would perhaps feel 


20 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


obliged to applaud occasionally, and their approval is a 
matter of no consequence to me, so 1 play Mozart to them 

in a subdued wav so as not to disturb them/'’ 

•/ 

“ You are a lover of Mozart's music, are you not, made- 
moiselle?" inquired Robert, who adored the great com- 

i 

poser. 

“ Yes; from my earliest childhood, when I began to take 
lessons upon the piano I happened to hear my teacher play 
an air from the 4 Magic Flute ’ one day. It made such an 
impression upon me that before light the next morning I 
slipped into the music-room and began to play with one 
finger the air that had so charmed me. The Mother Supe- 
rior heard me, and after a severe reprimand ordered me 
from the room. I rebelled — Mozart must have intoxicated 
me — I think — Heaven forgive me! — that I even struck the 
venerable mother. There was a terrible fuss made about 
it, and I came very near being expelled. ’’ 

“I can hardly believe that you ever struck anyone, 
mademoiselle." 

“ Then it is probably because I have had no cause to do 
so since that memorable day, for if you think that Heaven 
has endowed me with an angelic disposition you are very 
much mistaken, monsieur. I am very quick-tempered, and 
I fly into furious passions sometimes." 

“ Against the majestic Herminia or against the count- 
ess?" inquired Robert, laughing. 

“ No. They give me no cause. They pay me liberally 
for my lessons and my music, and I do my duty faithfully, 
so we are even. An occasional snub or slight is to be ex- 
pected, and I endure them uncomplainingly. But we are 
talking too much. I see that people are beginning to look 
at us. What piece of Mozart’s would you like to hear?’’ 

“ Any selection from ‘ Don Juan ’ that you please. Of 
all his operas that is my favorite.’’ 

Yiolette instantly began to play the serenade, and to play 
It as it should be played — softly and with exquisite feeling. 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


21 


Robert forgot everything — Mme. de Malvoisine, her pon- 
derous ward, and her noisy guests — in the charm of this 
delicious music that transported him to the land of dreams. 

Then came the trio of the maskers, Zerlina's gay aria, 
and then the gloomy duet between Don Juan and the Statue 
of the Commander, “Pentiti! No! No!” played for Rob- 
ert alone, for no one else pretended to listen. 

“ Do you know that you would be wonderfully success- 
ful on the stager” exclaimed Becherel, enthusiastically. 

“ I have thought of that sometimes/' replied the young 
girl, “ but I prefer quiet happiness to brilliant triumphs.” 
“ Happiness! How can you be happy in a house where 
you are treated with so little consideration? How can you 
bear the idea of always enduring the fate to which some 
undeserved misfortune has condemned you?” 

Instead of replying to this invitation to relate the history 
of her life, Yiolette only smiled sadly, and began one of 
Beethoven's sonatas. 

“ I must beg you not to remain with me any longer,” 
she said softly. “ Herminia will never forgive me if 1 en- 
gross too much of your attention. Besides, we can see 
-each other again before the end of the evening, for I shall 
not be able to leave the piano. I shall have to begin play- 
ing for them to dance presently.” 

“ And I shall not even have the consolation of waltzing 
with you?” 

No, for I shall be tied fast to the piano; but while they 
are at supper we shall perhaps have an opportunity for a 
little chat. Now I ask you in all seriousness to leave 
me. ” 

There was nothing for Robert to do but obey; but before 
lie rose he exchanged a last glance with the fair girl beside 
him, and he fancied he read in her eyes that she was not in 
the least offended by his evident interest in her. The main 
thing now was to find some way of whiling away the time 
that must elapse before he could rejoin her; and he was at 


22 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


a loss how to dispose of it, for he did not care to join the 
circle that had formed around the countess. 

He felt strangely incensed against Herminia, and he dis- 
trusted Mme. de Malvoisine. Gustave had told him enough 
for him to understand that this majestic dame was trying 
to marry off her ward, and that he, Robert de Becherel, 
would be gladly welcomed as a suitor for the young lady’s 
hand. 

He had not the slightest intention of encouraging either 
lady in any such hope, but as he had determined to stay for 
the sake of securing another brief conversation with Mile. 
Yiolette, he could hardly hope to escape the rather fulsome 
flattery of his hostess; but being anxious to postpone the 
evil hour as long as possible, he approached the card-table,, 
where he found Gustave losing heavily, for just as Robert 
reached the table, he saw a gentleman who had just played 
the king pull a very good-sized pile of gold and bank-notes 
toward him. 

“I have just lost my last sou,” Gustave whispered. 
“ Loan me fifty louis.” 

“ I would gladly do so, if I had it about me,” replied 
Becherel, considerably surprised by this unexpected call 
upon his purse. 

“ You have that amount, and a good deal more.” 

“ But it belongs to my employer, and I must return it 
to-morrow morning.” 

“ Don’t be alarmed. You shall have the monev back- 

j 

We can go round by my lodgings when we leave here, and 
as I have fifteen thousand francs in my secretary, and an 
account at the Credit Lyonnais, I can pay you.” 

“ I don’t doubt it; still — ” 

“ Oh, I see! You distrust me. Ah, well, let us say no 
more about it. I know what your friendship is worth now, 
and shall feel under no obligation to speak a good word for 
you to the golden-haired pianiste you seem to have taken 
such a fancy to.” 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


23 


Not much troubled by this threat, but greatly annoyed 
at being obliged to refuse an old friend a favor, Robert 
said to himself that he had one hundred louis laid by, and 
that if worst came to worst, and Gustave should fail to re- 
pay the loan, he would only have to take a thousand francs 
from his private purse. 

“ Here is a one thousand-franc note,” he said, taking 
one from the package in his pocket-book. “ I do not doubt 
your word, and shall certainly expect you to return the 
money to morrow morning. ” 

“ Good! I have found my friend Becherel of the 24th 
Dragoons again; and, to show you that I bear you no ill- 
will on account of your hesitation, I will take you into 
partnership with me. You shall have half my winnings, 
and, as I feel it in my bones that I am going to have a 
wonderful run of luck, you will find yourself the possessor 
of a handsome sum before the evening is over.” 

“ Very well; I accept your offer so far as — ” 

Robert did not have a chance to finish the sentence. 
Some one had just tapped him on the shoulder, and he 
turned hastily to see who had accosted him so familiarly. 

Gustave took advantage of his opportunity, and rushed 
toward the card-table, flourishing the thousand franc note, 
and crying: 

“ It is my turn now. I claim my revenge!” 

Robert found himself face to face with a gentleman about 
fifty years of age, tall, slim, and straight as a poplar, and 
wearing the rosette of an officer of the Legion of Honor in 
his button-hole. 

You here, colonel!” murmured Becherel, hanging his 
head like a school-boy detected in some grave misdemeanor. 

“ Yes, my boy,” replied the new-comer, pulling his gray 
mustache; “ so you are surprised to see me here? Ah, 
well! that proves you have never set foot here before, for I 
come here very often, and never think of concealing the 
fact. I am not married; I have an income of forty thou- 


24 


CASH OH DELIVEKY. 


sand francs, and, since I left the army, I am as free as air j 
so I take my pleasure wherever I can find it. But what 
brings you here?” 

“ Nothing in particular. A friend I happened to meet 
this evening brought me.” 

“ That big fellow who just borrowed that thousand franc 
note of you? He is one of the habitues of the house. How 
the deuce did you make his acquiantance?” 

“We were in the same regiment.” 

“ Yes; during your years of compulsory service, I sup- 
pose. If your father had listened to me, you would have 
enlisted again, and been an officer by this time. ” 

“ I would have asked nothing better than to remain in 
the army; but while I was serving out my term of enlist- 
ment, my mother became a widow, you know — ” 

“ And she wanted you home again. I don't see that she 
is much better off now, however, as you are in Paris and 
she in Rennes. But you have a very good situation, at. 
least I heard so when I was down in Brittany last summer. 
You have some property left, too, I hear. Your father 
didn't succeed in spending it all. Why have you never 
called on me since you have been living in Paris?" 

“ I really beg your pardon, colonel; I didn't know your 
address. " 

“ A poor excuse, my boy. You could have discovered it 
at the War Department if you had taken the trouble to in- 
quire. Besides, I am as well known as a white wolf. You 
had only to write to Monsieur Louis de Mornac, Retired 
Lieutenant-colonel, and your letter would have gone- 
straight to No. G4 Rue de la Boetie.” 

“ I will atone for my neglect by calling very soon, if you 
allow me. " 

“ I will not only permit it, but urge you to do so. I was 
very fond of your father, and you must need a word of ad- 
vice from an old codger occasionally. Oh, don't be afraid! 
I've no intention of preaching to you, but I'll serve as. 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


25 


your pilot through the dangerous shoals and rapids of Paris- 
ian life if you wish. It is filled with wrecks — this stormy 
sea — I know all the rocks, and I will point them out to 
you. To begin with, would you like me to enlighten you 
about these people here?” 

44 I was just on the point of asking you to do so.” 

44 Oh, well! it is a very easy matter. We will begin with 
Hie" mistress of the house. I don’t know where she ob- 
tained her title of countess, but I do know that she has 
never been married. ” 

44 I suspected as much. She is an adventuress, I sup- 
pose, who has succeeded in making a fortune.” 

44 No; she was formerly a dress-maker, and made a fort- 
une in the business. She has had several partners in the 
course of her long career — and has a silent partner even 
now — ” 

64 He is here, probably. Point him out to me, colonel.” 
44 No, he is not here. He is never here. He takes good 
care to keep away, but he and Madame de Malvoisine are as 
firmly united as the fingers of one’s hand, for their inter- 
ests are identical. There is a dead man between them.” 

44 A dead man?” 

44 Yes; they must have committed some crime that 
served as the foundation of their fortune. No one ever told 
me so, but I would wager my right hand that they did. 
.Besides, there is the child — ” 

44 What child?” 

44 Why, Herminia, of course. Your friend Gustave prob- 
ably told you that she was Madame de Malvoisine’s ward, 
but if you had used your eyes, you would have seen that 
Hie was her daughter. They look as much alike as two 
drops of water.” 

“Thafiis true; though I didn’t notice the fact before. 
The father, I suppose — ” 

44 Is Madame de Malvoisine’s silent partner. They have 
never acknowledged her, so they can leave her their whole 


26 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


fortune without violating the provision of the code that 
limits the portion of illegitimate children to one half of: 
their parents ' income. Besides, the father is legally mar- 
ried, jierhaps. No one has ever seen his wife, but there is 
strong reason to suppose that she exists, nevertheless. ” 

“A nice set, these people are! Would you believe it? 
Gustave had the assurance to pretend that I could secure 
the hand of this heiress if I chose — ” 

“ He is right. The so-called countess and her partner 
would deem themselves only too fortunate if they could 
secure a son-in-law like yourself. It matters very little to 
them if this son-in-law is poor, provided he bears an hon- 
orable name. But I suppose you are not particularly anx- 
ious to enter this charming family?” 

“ I would rather marry a respectable washer- woman. ” 

“ You are a good, sensible fellow, and I hope that you 
will not hesitate to call upon me if 1 can ever be of the 
slightest service to you.” 

“ Thank you, colonel / 9 said Robert, quickly; ^ and I 
assure you that you will never have reason to blush for me. 
But I am surprised that Gustave should have advised me 
to enter the lists as a suitor.” 

“ He is paid for it, probably. The father employs him 
in his speculations at the Bourse, and thus enables him to 
make a good deal of money. The father passes as the ma- 
jestic Herminia's uncle, and it is more than likely that your 
friend Gustave doesn't know the real facts of the case. 
Like many other people, he is trying to make a fortune,, 
and doesn't think it advisable to inquire too closely into the 
antecedents of the powerful financier who employs him. I 
have heard nothing to his discredit, but I would neverthe- 
less advise you not to become too intimate with him." 

“ Oh, I will be prudent, never fear!” 

“ Your father was not, if you are; and his want of cau- 
tion in such respects cost him dear. Profit by his experi- 
ence, and don't frequent the society of j)eople like these.” 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


27 


“ I don't intend to; but it seems to me that you your- 
self^ colonel, would do well — " 

6 4 Oh, it's very different with me! I'm an old stager, 
and I can enjoy myself when I please without much danger. '' 
“ And you enjoy yourself here?” asked Becherel, smil- 
ing. “ Mademoiselle Herminia can hardly be the attrac- 
tion, I think, nor her imposing mother. '' 

“ You don't understand the situation. This house is al- 
ways filled with people who certainly would not be admitted 
into your mother's house, but who are not all hardened 
wretches, by any means. Indeed, among the number 
there are two or three ladies who are really very agreeable 
and worthy of interest. As for the men, the majority of 
them are persons one can associate with without compro- 
mising one's self. I see here, at this very moment, two 
gentlemen of my acquaintance, and members of the same 
club to which I belong. You will say, perhaps, that they 
gamble here. That is true, but the countess is too well off 
to feel any desire to make money out of her guests; and I 
am almost certain that there is no cheating. I know some 
highly respectable clubs of which one could not say as 
much. " 

“ I don't want to bore you, colonel,” said Robert, anx- 
ious to question him about a person in whom he already 
felt a deep interest; “but as you have so kindly enlight- 
ened me in regard to the mistress of the house, will you 
have the goodness to tell me what you think of the young 
lady at the piano?” 

“ Little Yiolette? She is a pearl, my dear young friend. 
Pretty as a pink, full of grace and talent, a musician of the 
first order, and as pure as a lily. ' ' 

“ I am satisfied of that. But what is her origin? Has 
she any relatives?'' 

“Not one. She was a foundling, I believe, or some- 
thing of the kind. “ I heard her story once, but I have 
almost forgotten it. There is some mystery under it all, I 


28 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


believe. Ask the girl to tell you, and be as polite to her as? 
you please; only recollect that as you don't think of marry- 
ing her/ you would be doing very wrong if you amused 
yourself by turning her head. But now, my dear boy, I 
must leave you. I see a great friend of mine, the widow of a 
sea-captain, sitting over there in the corner, and I am go- 
ing to take advantage of this opportunity to join her. I 
shall probably leave before you do. Come and take break- 
fast with me whenever you like — the sooner the better." 

Having said this, M. de Mornac turned away, and in an- 
other minute or two Robert saw him cautiously making his 
way toward the fair widow. 

Several new groups had formed, and Herminia was sur- 
rounded by a number of admiring young men, while the 
countess was chatting with a party of older gentlemen. 

Yiolette, who seemed to be more alone than ever, contin- 
ued her playing, though no one made any pretense of list- 
ening. She had forbidden Robert to rejoin her, and not 
daring to disobey the order, he could think of nothing bet- 
ter to do than mingle with the men who were crowding 
around the card-table. 

His stakes were upon the table, as he had had the weak- 
ness to consent to the partnership proposed by Gustave, 
and he was not sorry to see how the game was progressing.. 

He believed himself capable of watching it, too, without 
any undue emotion, for he flattered himself that he was 
cured of the hereditary weakness of the Becherels. 

He li ttle thought that the demon of play was lying in 

wait for him there. 

« 

The mere sight of the gold spread out upon the table 
made him forget poor Yiolette, who was sadly performing 
the dreary task of a paid musician not far from the card- 
table. 

Gustave already had his cards in his hand, and Robert 
reached the table just in time to hear him say, in a loud 
voice: 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


29 


“ I'll play against the crowd, gentlemen." 

For one to engage in such a contest with any chance of 
success, a large amount of money is an absolute necessity: 
and Becherel asked himself if his friend had not lost his 
senses to thus enter the lists armed with only a one thou- 
sand franc note against gentlemen who were beginning 
with bets of five and even ten louis. 

Already there were at least thirty-five louis on the table. 

“ He certainly must be mad," thought Robert. “ How- 
ever, I am involved only to the extent of the one thousand 
franc note, and if he should come to grief, I have the means 
of replacing the amount I was weak enough to loan him 
out of my employer's money, and if this hard-headed Gus- 
tave wants to play any more it will be at his own risk." 

Robert had quite forgotten that he had not had time to 
add a restrictive clause to his acceptance of the proposed 
copartnership, when the colonel startled him by tapping 
him on the shoulder. 

Just then Gustave glanced upland, perceiving him,, 
cried : 

“ Look here, my dear fellow, you have no right to watch 
these gentlemen's play, as you are in partnership with me. 
Come over on my side. " 

Becherel was strongly inclined to reply that the company 
was limited, as they say in England, when the liabilities of 
stockholders do not exceed a certain figure; but all eyes 
were fixed upon him, so he said nothing, but consoled him • 
self with the thought that it would be time enough to with- 
draw when the money he had advanced was lost, and 
docilely placed himself behind his friend who had just 
covered the stakes of the other gentlemen with the bank- 
note borrowed from Robert. 

“Recollect that you are to give me no advice," said 
Gustave, carelessly. “I know how to play ecarte, and I 
don't need your counsel. " 

Robert also prided himself upon being an excellent 


30 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


player, but he was not at all anxious to take part in the * 
contest, and for fear of becoming interested in it in spite 
of himself, he began to watch Yiolette instead of the 
cards. 

That young lady had not left the piano, but she was no 
longer alone there. A man with a red beard had just 
planted himself behind the piano-stool, and was endeavor- 
ing to talk with her in a very confidential manner. She 
did her best to escape the fop’s compliments and assiduous 
attentions, but failing, she finally struck up the liveliest 
quadrille the habitues of the Bal de P Opera ever danced, 
and the noise drowned the voice of her admirer, who was 
obliged to cease his compliments and beat a retreat, 
though not without one last impertinent remark which 
Bobert fortunately did not hear, for he would have 
promptly espoused the cause of the persecuted girl. 

“ The king!” announced Gustave, as he turned the 
eleventh card. “ One point for me.” 

His opponent played first, and lost. 

“ Two more points!” exclaimed Gustave. “ That 
makes three for me.” 

This was quite enough to make Becherel forget, at least 
momentarily, the scene he had just witnessed. The pas- 
sion for play had seized him again, and he concentrated his 
whole attention upon the game so promisingly begun. 

It ended still better, for Gustave took every trick on the 
deal that followed, and won. 

This brilliant success did not elate Bobert much, how- 
ever. It was not the money that he cared for, it was the 
excitement of play; and he had not had a chance to ex- 
perience much of that, owing to the fact that he and his 
friend had had it all their own way. 

“ Put up your money, gentlemen,” said Gustave. 

They did so, and the stakes amounted to quite a large 
sum, for nearly all who had been defeated doubled the 
amount of their bets. 


CASH OX DELIVERY. 


31 


This time the game was closely contested, and his adver- 
saries gained four points before Gustave scored a single 
one; but he worked his way up, point by point, and the 
fortunate turning of a king of hearts on the fifth deal won 
him the game. 

“ Will you try another gamer” he asked, drawing his 
winnings toward him. 

There was some grumbling among the losers, who did 
not seem inclined to contend with a run of luck that 
threatened to become really formidable. 

“ What are the stakes?” cried the gentleman Violette 
had just snubbed so unmercifully. 

“ Whatever you please,” replied Gustave, loftily. 

“ What! is it you, Piton?” responded the other, with a 
rather scornful air. “ You are playing against the crowd! 
Can it be you have become a millionaire?” 

66 Not yet, my prince of brokers, but I have the where- 
withal to pay you — if you win.” 

“ Five hundred louis to begin with them” 

“ The devil!” 

“ I warn you that if you refuse, I shall play against the 
crowd in your place. That is the rule, you know. ” 

During this conversation Robert examined the new- 
comer closely, and was not at all prepossessed in his favor* 
This young man who talked of beginning with a bet of ten 
thousand francs was extremely loud, both in manner and 
coloring. Everything about him indicated the parvenu, 
from his insolent air to the enormous gold watch chain 
that dangled upon his black vest. Becherel hated him 
already for having forced his unwelcome attentions upon 
Yiolette, and would willingly have given a yearns salary for 
the privilege of boxing his ears, but he hojied that Gustave 
would firmly decline this unreasonable proposal. 

But Gustave, after hesitating an instant, replied: 

“ Here goes for five hundred louis then!” 

“ Very well. IT1 play on those conditions. Bring out 


•QO 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


your money, my dear fellow. I play only on a cash basis, 
and you haven’t ten thousand francs there before you. ” 

As he spoke he deposited upon the table a pocket-book 
stuffed with bank-notes. 

“ My partner will complete the amount,” said Gustave. 

Robert, my good fellow, pass me the reserve.” 

Becherel opened his lips to say that he would risk no more 
money, when he saw that the young parvenu was survey- 
ing him with a supercilious, even sneering air, and the 
pride and anger aroused by this impertinence deprived him 
of his usual prudence and good sense to such an extent that 
he drew from his pocket the nine one thousand franc notes 
that remained there, and handed them to his imprudent 
companion without a word. 

At that moment he would have risked his entire patri- 
mony rather than flinch before this purse-proud and vulgar 
youth, who now turned to Gustave with the sneering remark: 

“ This gentleman is your banker, it seems. I should 
never have suspected it.” 

“ And why, sir?” demanded Becherel, in a 'more and 
more aggressive tone. 

“ Simply because you don’t look like a capitalist. One 
can’t have everything in this world, you know. ” 

“ I at least have a habit of correcting ill-bred persons, 
and I—” 

“Gentlemen! gentlemen!” cried the other players. 

“ I will take you at your word, and we will settle this 
affair after this game is ended.” 

“ Whenever you please.” 

“ Let me see, whose deal is it? Yours, Pi ton, I believe. 
Try not to turn the king of hearts too often — of all 
hearts ” — he added, with a side glance at Becherel, who, 
though inwardly boiling with rage, took no notice of this 
allusion to his personal charms. 

Gustave not only failed to turn the king, but gave it to 
his opponent, who scored a point with it. 


CASH OX DELIVERY. 


33 


The game began badly for Gustave and his friend, and 
the next deal proved equally unfavorable. 

44 Two and one make three, in my arithmetic,” said the 
enemy coarsely, as he slapped his last card down upon the 
table. 

Gustave began to look anxious, but Bobert, who had 
forgotten everything in his anger against Violette's perse- 
cutor, was only waiting for the end of the game in order to 
challenge this odious creature. 

Gustave dealt a second time; his opponent asked for the 
cards, and Gustave, being in doubt, concluded to consult 
his friend. 

44 Advise me,” he said. 

44 No,” replied Bobert, unwilling to assume the respon- 
sibility of giving advice under such circumstances. 

4 4 No?” repeated Gustave, questioningly. 

* 4 Very well, then, I will play,” replied his opponent 
quickly, spreading out three cards upon the table, 44 and 
you have lost, for I have the ace and the queen of trumps. 
I planned to make two points by refusal, and unless you 
have the king — ” 

44 But I did not refuse — ” 

44 Pardon me, your partner said no.” 

14 4 That was only in reply to the question I put to him. 
Besides, I alone have the right to reply, as I am the person 
who holds the cards.” 

44 Granted, but you, too, replied with a distinctly ut- 
tered no. I leave it to these gentlemen.” 

The by-standers unanimously declared Gustave in the 
wong, and he was now obliged to yield. 

44 You have had enough, I fancy/’ remarked the victor, 
as he pocketed the spoil. 

44 On the contrary, Pll play another game for the same 
stakes,” said Gustave, angrily. 

44 For cash, or on time?” 

,4 If I lose you shall be paid before noon to-morrow.” 

2 


34 


CASH ON DELIVERY 


“ That is contrary to my principles. Still* IT! do it this 
once to oblige you/* 

“ Let us draw for deal, then/*' 

Robert said to himself: “ I have nothing to do with it 
this time, for Gustave did not ask me if I wanted my re- 
venge or not/* 

The game began, and Gustave lost it on the third 
deal. 

“ It is all your own fault, my dear fellow/* 6 his opponent 
remarked to him. “ You ought to know that the 
strongest side always wins the victory. Don*t trouble 
yourself about the payment of the money. If you give it 
to me to-morrow after the Bourse closes that will be time 
enough. Now, gentlemen,** he added* turning to the 
other players, “ 1*11 take Piton*s place* and give you all a 
chance at me.** 

“ Don*t forget that you and I have another matter to 
settle/* said Robert de Becherel, whose wrath had only 
been increased by Gustave *s defeat. 

“ I am aware of that,** replied the victor* dryly. 
Si Send your seconds to me whenever you please. Your 
friend Piton will give you my address. **“ 

“ Put up your money, gentlemen.** 

Gustave, who had risen from the table in very bad 
humor, dragged Becherel into one corner of the room, and 
said to him angrily: 

“ What has put this absurd idea of fighting with Galimas 
into your head?** 

“ Galimas is your late opponent, I suppose?* " 

“ Yes, and he is one of the richest brokers in Paris.* 7 ' 

Ci I don*t care if he is/* 

cs But I do. He has put me in the way of making a 
good deal of money at the Bourse, and I don*t want to get 
in a quarrel with him, I assure you. You are angry with 
him because he ventured to pay the fair Yiolette a few 
compliments. That is no reason for challenging him* 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


35 


Besides, before carrying this absurd altercation any further, 
we must pay him what we owe him.” 

“ Very true. I was foolish enough to go shares with 
you in the game for one thousand francs, so I am a loser to 
the amount of five hundred francs. ” 

You don’t seem to understand the situation, my dear 
fellow. The ten thousand francs you gave me represent 
your share of the loss. I will pay Galimas the other ten 
thousand, and we shall then be square. ” 

“ I do not see the matter in this light,” said Bobert, 
hastily. Our copartnership was not unlimited. You 
chose to risk twenty thousand francs on two games of 
ecarte. You might have risked and lost one hundred thou- 
sand just as well, for you did it without consulting 
me.” 

“ Then you ought to have announced your determina- 
tion to withdraw, but you not only failed to say anything 
of the kind, but placed yourself directly behind me as if to 
publicly declare yourself my partner. Besides, everybody 
saw you hand me the bank-notes. If you choose to deny 
your obligations now, well and good. I thought you a man 
of honor. I was mistaken, and I must take the conse- 
quences.” 

Becherel turned pale with anger, but he managed to 
control himself. 

"“Listen, Gustave,” he said. “ No one else could say 
what you have just said to me with impunity, but I don’t 
want to quarrel with an old comrade, and as you really 
seem to consider me your partner in this loss, I will consent 
to pay half the amount. But I haven’t the money, as you 
know very well, so I must ask you to loan it to me for a 
few days — just long enough to write to my mother and re- 
ceive her reply. She will send me the money, I am sure, 
even if she has to mortgage some of our real estate to ob- 
tain it.” 

“ I can settle with Galimas to-morrow, on a pinch, as I 


36 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


have fifteen thousand francs at home, but I haven’t 
twenty thousand, and you must return to your employer’s 
safe to-morrow morning the ten thousand francs that just 
found their way into that lucky dog’s pocket, ” 

“ Then there is nothing left for me to do but blow my 
brains out,” said Becherel, gloomily. 

“ How absurdly you talk! When one has four hundred 
thousand francs worth of real estate a man needn’t worry 
himself about a paltry ten thousand francs. If he needs 
that amount he has only to borrow it. ” 

“ Of whom? You haven’t the money, and I must have 
it to-morrow morning.” 

“ Of Cash on Delivery.” 

“ What do you mean?” 

“ Of Marcaudier, then.” 

46 And who is Marcaudier, pray?” 

“ A usurer who has accommodated me in a similar wav 

at least a dozen times.” 

0 

“ But he doesn’t know me.” 

“ He knows me, and he will be ready and willing to loan 
you ten thousand francs, and even a much larger amount 
on my recommendation. He is not so very exorbitant in. 
his charges either. He won’t ask you more than thirty 
per cent, interest, and that will include everything.” 

“ How very reasonable he must be in his demands,” said 
Becherel, with an ironical grimace. “ I am in no situation 
to haggle about terms, however. And you think the mat- 
ter can be arranged in the morning?” 

“ I’ll answer for that. ” 

“ And you will go with me when I call on him?” 

“ No. If I did, he would perhaps regard it merely as 
an act of complaisance on my part, prompted by a desire 
to oblige an old friend. It would be better for me to see 
him alone, I think. I will call on him to-morrow morning 
at eight o’clock, and explain your situation and your re- 
sources. He has great confidence in me, and if you will 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


37 

drop in at nine o’clock I feel sure that you can have your 
mone} 7 ten minutes afterward. ” 

“ I hope you will not tell him that the money so foolish- 
ly lost did not belong to me.” 

“ Certainly not. I shall not even tell him that you are 
in Labitte’s employ. I shall represent you in the light of 
a young spendthrift.” 

“ That makes no difference to me. I will call on this 
man at nine o’clock precisely. Where does he live?” 

“ In a dingy little street known as the Rue Rodier, be- 
tween the Rue Choron and the Avenue Trudaine.” 

“ I shall have no difficulty in finding it, I think.” 

“ Well, ^Harcaudier lives on the third floor of No. 24.. 
The porter will tell you which staircase to take; and when 
you reach his door ring three times in quick succession,. 
Marcaudier doesn’t open his doors to everybody. He is 
afraid of thieves and of gossips, but he will admit you, for 
I will warn him of your intended visit. When you are once 
in his office tell him what you want plainly, and don’t be 
afraid to assert yourself. Usurers of his stamp are like 
women — to obtain what you want of them you must bully 
them a little.” 

“ I’ll follow your advice as far as possible; and as you 
are going to intercede in my behalf, I shall count upon tak- 
ing the ten thousand francs away with me. I shall have no 
difficulty in obtaining the money through my attorney at; 
Rennes before the note I have to give this old Shylock 
matures. Now to change the subject, will you act as my 
second?” . 

“ What! are you really in earnest about fighting with 
Galimas?” 

“ I shall fight with him unless the man is a coward. ” 

“ Oh, he’s not a coward. He fights just like everybody 
else when he has to, and isn’t a bad shot I’ve heard, thougk 
I don’t know much about it. I wouldn’t think of fighting; 
with him though if I were in your place. He has the worst 


38 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


tongue of any man I know; and if you insist upon fighting 
with him he will tell everybody that it is on account of your 
pretty pianist e, and he will not hesitate to ruin the poor 
girl’s reputation if he can. The countess will be sure to 
dismiss her; and Mademoiselle Yiolette will be left without 
a home and without resources. ” 

“ I should be very sorry indeed to injure her, but I can 
not allow the matter to end here. Galimas just told me 
that he should expect a visit from my seconds. ” 

“ Ah, well, come and breakfast with me at Champeaux 
to-morrow morning at eleven o’clock, and we’ll talk the 
matter over. You can tell me, too, about your visit to 
Marcaudier, and afterward we will go together to the 
IBourse, and I’ll manage to bring about an interview with 
Galimas, who will apologize, I promise you, if you will 
leave the matter to me. ” 

“ If he is willing to do that I shall accept his apology, of 
course. So it is decided; to-morrow morning, after restitu- 
tion is made, I shall ask my employer for a day’s leave, and 
he will not refuse my request I am sure.” 

“ I am not a bad fellow at heart, you see, my friend,” 
remarked Gustave. u It was a great pity that I brought 
you here, as we have both lost quite a large sum in conse- 
quence of our visit; but I have devised a means of getting 
3 r ou out of the scrape; and as for the loss we have sustained 
it won’t prove the death of us. It has made me terribly 
hungry though. Come, let’s go and get something to eat. ” 
^ No, thank you. I am going home. I’ve had enough 
of your countesses and rich young brokers. You can re- 
main longer if you choose, but I am going to take my de- 
parture.” 

“ Very well; just as you please. You won’t go without 
taking leave of your new divinity, I suppose. It seems to 
me that she is gazing rather anxiously in this direction. 
Don’t keep her pining. I’m going into the dining-room to 
make the acquaintance of a pate de foie gras . Good-bye, 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


39 


until to-morrow. Take the carriage that brought us here* 
I can easily find another if I want it. ” 

The card-playing was still in progress; but the room had 
undergone a decided change in aspect. All the ladies, in- 
cluding Mme. de Malvoisine and Mile. Herminia, had gone 
out to supper; Colonel Mornac was nowhere to be seen: 
Yiolette was still playing waltzes and quadrilles. 

Robert joined her, and was greatly surprised to find her 
in tears. 

“ What is the matter, mademoiselle?” he asked, almost 
affectionately. 

“ I have heard all that has jiassed,” faltered the young 
girl. “ You have had a quarrel — you are going to fight — ” 
“ Do not worry about that, mademoiselle. The affair is 
likely to be amicably adjusted; and if you have no other 
cause for anxiety — 9 ’ 

“ Madame de Malvoisine has just given me my dismissal. 
My engagement with her ceases to-morrow. ” 

“ This is infamous! What is her pretext? Of what does: 
she accuse you? Of having answered when I spoke to you? 
It would seem that I am the cause of this misfortune.” 

“ That fact need not grieve you, sir. I have long been 

wearv of the humiliations I am forced to endure here. I 

•* 

shall live as I have always lived — by my music — and I shall 
at least be my own mistress . 9 ’ 

44 And am I never to see you again?” exclaimed Robert. 
“ Why not? I feel sure that I can trust you. Tell me 
where I can write to you; and if you will promise me to 
offer me only your friendship, I — ” 

Robert drew a card from his pocket-book and slipped it 
into the hand of Yiolette, who as she took it, whispered: 

“ Leave me now, I entreat you. Those gentlemen are 
watching us with evident curiosity.” 

Robert bowed and hastened from the room, carrying with 
him a hope that in a measure consoled him for his pecuniary 
losses. 


40 


CASH OX DELIVERY. 


CHAPTER II. 

Though he was twenty-four years old, Robert de Becherel 
.still cherished many of the illusions and much of the en- 
thusiasm of youth. 

This was due in a very great measure to the training he 
Iiad received as well as to his temperament. 

The son of a pleasure-loving father, and a mother pious 
-almost to austerity, tender almost to weakness, and ignorant 
of the world and its wickedness, Robert had inherited many 
of the virtues and faults of both parents. 

From his father he had inherited a heedlessness or per- 
haps rather an unconsciousness of the duties and responsi- 
bilities of life — from his mother, wonderful kindness of 
heart and delicacy of feeling, as well as a dangerous credu- 
lousness and naivete. 

Three years spent in the ancient capital of Brittany after 
his term of military service had expired had been a disad- 
vantage rather than an advantage to him. 

In Rennes, where his name opened every door to him, he 
Boon became a great favorite. His handsome face, his dis- 
tinguished manners and appearance, and his genial disposi- 
tion made him the admiration of every heiress in the town 
in spite of the smallness of his fortune, which had been 
seriously impaired by the author of his being. They for- 
gave him everything — his fondness for play, as well as his 
conquests outside of the aristocratic circles, whose spoiled 
darling he was. 

Consequently there had been nothing to prevent him 
from making a brilliant marriage in his native province. 
His mother desired it very much; and he adored his moth- 
er; but he soon became surfeited with these provincial tri- 
umphs, and one fine day he took it into his head to try 
Parisian life for awhile. 


CASH 01^ DELIVERY. 


41 


One of his father' s old friends, M. Labitte, was the head 
of a large banking-house, and had offered him a position as 
private secretary. Mme. de Becherel had finally become 
reconciled to the separation from her son, for she felt that 
the change might be an advantage to him, and thus far she 
had no cause to regret her decision, for Robert had shown 
a decided taste for his new duties and had fulfilled them 
with exemplary zeal. 

He had been cured, too, in a great measure, of his con- 
ceit; his natural refinement had preserved him from vice; 
and in the maelstrom of Parisian life, where all ranks are 
confounded, he had conducted himself in an eminently re- 
spectable and praiseworthy manner. 

All this, however, had been due to chance rather than to 
any remarkable strength of character, as the ease with 
which he had been enticed into the salon where he had just 
seen and heard so many startling things and lost ten thou- 
sand francs that did not belong to him conclusively 
proved. 

He reached home about two o’clock in the morning, and 
slept but little the rest of the night, so deeply was his mind- 
engrossed with the folly of which he had been guilty. 

And yet his losses at the card- table did not trouble him 
very much, for he felt comparatively sure of being able to 
borrow the money the next morning, and cared very Jittle 
about the heavy rate of interest he would be compelled to 
pay for it. 

The culpable act of which he had been guilty in making 
this disposition of M. Labitte’s money did not strike him 
very forcibly; and he would have been greatly surprised if 
any one had told him that he had been guilty of a breach 
of confidence. The all-important thing, in his eyes, was to 
restore the money; and if he had found it impossible to 
make restitution he would not have hesitated to confess the 
truth to his employer. 

The moral side of the act escaped his notice entirely; 


42 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


but, strange to say, he bitterly reproached himself for thus 
grieving his mother, who would be sure to learn sooner or 
later that her son had been obliged to mortgage his property 
to meet the demands of an usurer. 

Such was this young man, endowed by nature with many 
admirable traits of character, but subsequently spoiled by 
the example of a dissipated father and the excessive in- 
dulgence of an angelic mother. His heart was all that 
oould be desired : he lacked only firmness and strength of 
character. 

During the hours that elapsed between his departure from 
the salon on the Rue du Rocher and his compulsory visit to 
M. Marcaudier, the lovely Yiolette was ever in his thoughts; 
for the mystery that surrounded her only enhanced her 
charms in the eyes of a person endowed with such a vivid 
imagination. 

Whence came this beautiful young girl; this beautiful 
artiste ? and what strange series of events had transformed 
the child reared in the convent at Rennes into the paid 
musician of a spurious countess? Colonel Mornac, whose 
judgment could certainly be relied on in such matters, did 
not hesitate to vouch for her virtue, and even the skeptical 
Crust a ve had naught but good to say of her. 

Robert, who was more than willing to believe them, anx- 
iously asked himself what would become of her now that 
Mme. de Malvoisine had dismissed her? Had she been liv- 
ing in the house on the Rue du Rocher? He had neglected 
to ask; and as he never intended to set foot there again he 

was bv no means sure that he would ever see her. She had 

•/ 

accepted his card, it is true, but would she write to him? 
And even if she did, how could he be of any assistance to 
her in the trying position in which she was placed? 

These questions and many of a similar nature disturbed 
his slumbers much more than the recollection of the game 
of ecarte and his quarrel with Galimas; and finally after 
thinking over the situation long and carefully he resolved 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


43 


to embrace the first opportunity to call upon the colonel^ 
who certainly would not refuse to give him all the informa- 
tion in his power and perhaps some good advice as well. 

A little consoled by the hope of soon solving this mystery 
Robert rose about half past seven o^clock and rang for his 
groom — for this secretary with a salary of five hundred 
francs a month had a groom and a very charming suite of 
bachelor apartments, exactly as if he had lived in those 
days when the heroes of Paul de Kock*s romances kept 
their cabriolets and lived sumptuously upon a yearly income 
of six thousand francs. 

The groom was the son of one of his tenants who resided 
near Prevalaye, and who was devotedly attached to his 
young master. 

The rooms had been furnished by Mme. de Becherel, who 
had come up to Paris for the express purpose of seeing her 
son comfortably established there, and she had done things 
very handsomely. Robert had a parlor, a bedroom and a 
smoking-room, all furnished in exquisite taste. Nothing 
was wanting, not even objects of art; and Robert enjoyed 
these pleasant surroundings so much that he breakfasted 
there almost every day, Jean, his groom, having sufficient 
knowledge of cookery to prepare the traditional cutlet and 
eggs very creditably. 

His duties as private secretary occupied Robert only two 
hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon, so 
he had plenty of leisure time; and he generally employed 
it in a. pretty sensible fashion. 

That day he began by writing to M. Labitte, asking to 
be excused from coming to the office that morning, but 
making no allusion to the ten thousand francs; for he felt 
sure that his employer would not think of inquiring if the 
money had been delivered, and he wanted to have time to 
secure the loan that would enable him to reimburse the 
amount. 

Having finished this note and intrusted it to Jean for de- 


44 


CASH OH DELIVEKY. 


livery, Robert made a hasty toilet and started out to pay 
hds visit to Marcaudier. 

The Rue Rodier, where the usurer lived, was not far from 
the Boulevard Poissonniere, so as it was only half past eight 
Robert had plenty of time to reach the place before the ap- 
pointed hour without taking a carriage. Gustave had 
warned him that Marcaudier did not reside in a palace; 
but the house bearing the number mentioned by his friend 
was so unprepossessing in its aspect that Robert was loath 
to enter it. 

“ It looks like a den of infamy,” he muttered, “ and as 
it shelters a usurer, I suspect that it is. It is hard to be- 
lieve that any capitalist would live in such a dingy hole; 
but what of that? provided he gives me the ten thousand 
francs I want, here and now, that is all I ask. ” 

He finally concluded to cross the threshold, and, while 
groping his way through a dark hall, he stumbled over the 
first step of a rickety staircase. Keeping a tight hold on 
the baluster, he had cautiously mounted about a dozen steps, 
when he saw a lurid light, and heard a husky voice cry: 

“ What do you want?” 

The sound proceeded from a sort of niche in the wall, 
•and Robert had considerable difficulty in discerning the 
person who thus addressed him. He was only partially 
.successful in his efforts, in fact; but the strong smell of 
cooking that greeted his nostrils satisfied him that the dim 
light that was flickering before his eyes came from a fire on 
which some of the dishes particularly affected by porters 
and portresses were in course of preparation. 

“ Did you come for the locks ?’ 9 

This time Becherel perceived that the voice was that of a 
woman, and he attempted to enter her den, but the shrill 
mew of a cat made him start back. 

44 Take care! you came near stepping on MistigrisP* 
•cried the same voice that had first addressed him. 

Mistigris was a cat whose green eyes shone weirdly 


( 


45 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 

through the darkness, as if to complete the diabolical aspect 
of this porter’s lodge, which is one’s very ideal of a witch’s 
clem 

I want to see Monsieur Marcaudier,” said Robert. 

Instead of replying, the woman stooped over the fire, 
and, rising with a lighted candle in her hand, advanced to 
the door. 

A more hideous old hag never startled the eyes of man. 
The most prominent feature of her repulsive face was her 
hooked nose, which instantly reminded one of the beak of 
a bird of prey. Her clothing was nothing more or less than 
a mass of rags of every texture and color; and though she 
peered at Robert closely with her round owl-like eyes, she 
seemed in no haste to reply. 

“ Have you lost your tongue?” cried Becherel, stamping 
his foot impatiently. 

The woman recoiled, and the frightened cat darted out 
upon the staircase where she crouched, growling sullenty. 

“ What do you want of Monsieur Marcaudier?” inquired 
the portress at last. 

“ That is none of your business, and as you don’t seem 
inclined to answer me, I am going up. I know that his 
rooms are on the third floor, and I shall certainly be able 
to find the door. ” 

The old hag retreated into her den, mumbling some in- 
sult, and after ascending a few steps higher, Becherel was 
able to see his way a little more clearly, for the dingy 
frames of a window which must have opened upon some 
inner court-yard or well admitted sufficient light for him 
to be able to distinguish two doors upon the landing. They 
were both closed, however, and were probably no longer in 
use, for there was neither knob or lock upon them. 

‘ 4 A strange house, this!” Robert said to himself. “ This 
usurer can’t derive much of an income from this old rook- 
ery, for he don’t seem to have many tenants. Indeed, if 
the next story is like this he hasn’t any.” 


46 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


On reaching the landing on the floor above, he again, 
found himself confronted by two doors which bore no name 
or inscription, but he perceived that one of them was 
slightly ajar, so he pushed it open, and found that it led 
into a dimly lighted passage the further end of which he 
could not see. 

“ This house is a perfect labyrinth,” he muttered. 
“ Gustave, before sending me here, ought to have given 
me a plan of it to aid me in finding my way. Mr. Cash on 
Delivery is perhaps to be found at the end of this corridor, 
so I'll try it/* 

He was obliged to walk some distance before he reached 
the end of the passage. 

“ I had no idea that this narrow old rookery was half so 
deep,” he thought. “ It seems to extend way back to the 
Rue des Martyrs. It's as dark as a pocket here, and if I 
go on much further, I shall dash my brains out against the 
wall or fall into some hole. Can it be that Gustave was 
playing a joke on me?” 

He was about to retrace his steps when he heard a low 
moaning sound that seemed to come from further down the 
corridor. 

“ Can it be they are murdering somebody in this den?” 
he muttered. “ Or, is it the usurer's victims who are 
groaning as if he were putting them to the torture? I 
mean to find out what is going on here.” 

And without any further hesitation, he again started 
down the corridor. The further he went the more distinct 
the sound became, and soon there was no longer any room, 
for doubt. It was the voice of some one moaning and 
weeping, and the voice seemed to be that of a woman. 

After groping a few steps further through the darkness, 
Becherel encountered an obstacle that prevented any fur- 
ther progress, and on feeling it with his hands he found 
that this obstacle was an iron door, secured by ponderous 
locks and bars like those of a prison. 


47 


€ASH ON DELIVERY. 

To satisfy himself that he was not mistaken, he applied 
iiis ear to the door, and now fancied he heard incoherent 
words as well as sobs. 

He could distinguish only one word, however, but that 
was repeated again and again, and sounded like “ Mign- 
onne.” 

The ending was certainly “ onne.” 

This word too seemed to be rather an appeal than a com- 
plaint. To whom could it be addressed? Robert had no 
idea, but he said to himself that when one cried out in this 
way it was because one needed aid, so he rapped loudly on 
the door, and cried at the toq> of his voice : 

I say, who are you in there? What do you want? 
What can I do for you? 5 ' 

There was not only no reply, but the sound suddenly 
•ceased. 

Becherel pounded on the door again, with all his might 
this time, but with no better success than before. 

The person wdio had been weeping and moaning so wild- 
ly a few minutes before was silent now, as a dog confined 
in his kennel ceases to howl when he hears the crack of his 
master’s whip. 

“ The deuce take the woman!” muttered Becherel. 

I’m a fool to trouble myself about the whimpering of a 
girl who can’t answer when she is spoken to, and as I’ve 
evidently made a mistake in the door, I’ll make one more 
attempt to find Marcaudier. He has strange goings-on in 
his house, and I intend to tell him so if I succeed in find- 
ing him. To tell the truth, I’m terribly afraid of falling 
through some trap-door in this infernal corridor.” 

He succeeded in making his way out of it without any 
accident, however, and finally found himself in front of 
the other door, which was locked and provided with a bell. 
He perceived, too, for the first time, that the lock of the 
door he had pushed open was missing, and understood now 
why the portress had inquired if he was the locksmith. 


48 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


In compliance with the instructions he had received from. 
Gustave, Eobert rang three times in quick succession. 

Several minutes elapsed before any notice was taken of 
the summons, and Eobert was on the point of ringing again, 
when a face, illumined by a pair of tawny eyes, suddenly ap- 
peared behind a small opening in the wall. 

“I would like to see Monsieur Marcaudier,” said 
Eobert. 

“ I am he,” replied a deep bass voice. “Who are 
you?” 

“ I was sent here by my friend, Gustave Piton.” 

A bolt was drawn; the door opened, and the voice re- 
plied in gentler tones: 

“ I was expecting you. Come in, my dear sir.”* 

“This man is certainly very familiar,”' thought Bech- 
erel. “ He never saw me before, and vet he calls me dear 
sir. This extreme politeness is likely to cost me dear.” 

To his very great surprise, Eobert found himself in a 
large and elegantly furnished room. There was a Louis 
Seize desk of richly carved mahogany, several luxurious 
arm-chairs, a profusion of costly ornaments, and even a. 
book-case filled with richly bound volumes. 

Though it was now nine o’clock in the morning, the 
room was lighted by two large lamps, and this fact was a 
surprise, though one would not have suspected that it was 
daylight without, for the windows — if there were any — 
were entirely concealed by hangings of antique tapestry.. 

“ Will you take a chair, my dear sir?” continued Mar- 
caudier, seating himself at his desk. “ I have just received 
a visit from our mutual friend, Piton, and know to what I 
am indebted for the honor of this call.” 

“ Then it is unnecessary for me to explain — ” 

“ Entirely unnecessary. Gustave has told me all. You 
accompanied him to the house of the Countess de Malvoi- 
sine last evening, and \vhile there you both took part in a 
game of ecarte, in which you lost ten thousand francs^ 


CASH OK DELIVEKY. 


49 


which mast be paid this morning, as you owe the money to 
Galimas, who will not trust you for twenty-four hours; sa 
you have come to ask me to loan you the money. ” 

“ Yes. Gustave assured me that you would be willing 
to do so. ” - 

“ And he was perfectly right, my dear sir. I like to ac- 
commodate young gentlemen when the state of my finances 
permits me to do so without personal inconvenience; so I 
am going to let you have the ten thousand francs you need.. 

I am anxious, first, to say a word or two about myself, 
however. Y T ou thought, probably, that your friend had • 
sent you to a common usurer; you must see now that I do 
not look like one.” 

This was certainly the truth. Marcaudier had a pleasant, 
face; he was dressed like a gentleman, and did not appear 
to be over forty-five years of age. 

Bobert was so amazed at this preamble that he could 
only bow his assent. 

“ You are not to understand from this that I oblige 
those who apply to me without some condensation,” con- 
tinued Marcaudier. “ In return for the ten thousand 
francs I am going to loan you, you must give me your note 
for eleven thousand francs, payable three months from 
date; so I loan you the money at a rate of interest which 
fools call usurious, but I have my own ideas on this sub- 
ject. I hold that money is a commodity whose value varies 
as much as that of a house which is rented more or less, 
dearly according to the difficulty its owner meets with in 
securing tenants. The fact that the Bank of France raises 
or lowers its rate of discount, according to the scarcity or 
abundance of the commodity, is certainly sufficient proof of 
the justice of my reasoning.” 

“He evidently intends to put me through a course of 
political economy,” thought Becherel. 

“ And, to conclude with another case in point, you would 
not have applied to me if you had not found yourself in. 


so 


CASH OK HE LITER A". 


pressing need of money. The security you can offer would 
enable you to secure a loan of a much larger amount 
through any notary, and at a rate of interest certainly not 
exceeding five per cent.” 

‘ 6 It was Gustave who told you this . 99 

“ I have not relied upon him alone for my information. 
I have known you for some time, or rather, I have been 
acquainted with your financial condition. Your fortune is 
not large, but it is substantial, as it consists of unencum- 
bered real estate. You wonder how I happen to be so well 
‘ informed. I am acquainted with Monsieur Labitte, and he 
lias spoken of you . 99 

“ I hope you will not mention this matter to him,” ex- 
claimed Robert. 

“For what do you take me? I am discreet by profes- 
sion, like a physician; besides, I can very readily under- 
stand your unwillingness to be regarded as a gambler by 
jour employer. The negotiation we have just concluded 
will be known only to you and me. I forgot to mention 
Piton, but, though he is rather thoughtless, he is too inti- 
mate with you to say anything that would be likely to in- 

* 

jure you.” 

“ He is not such an intimate friend as you perhaps sup- 
pose. I used to know him quite well, but we had not seen 
each other for years, when I happened to meet him last 
evening.” 

** Yes; he told me all about it, and, believe me, he has 
some very excellent traits in spite of his foibles. He does 
very wrong to squander money as he does; but he makes a 
good deal. He is a shrewd fellow — a man of brains, un- 
questionably. He will certainly succeed in making a large 
fortune some day, and he might, perhaps, assist you in 
making yours . 99 

“ That is a subject on which I am not bestowing much 
thought just now,” said Becherel, with an impatient move- 
ment. 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


51 


Marcaudier saw the gesture, and it was in an entirely 
different tone that he said : 

“ Pardon me, sir. When I find myself in congenial 
company, I am too prone to talk, and to neglect business 
matters as in the present instance. The negotiation is virt- 
ually concluded, however, and there is nothing more to be 
done but for you to give me your note in exchange for the 
ten thousand francs. Here they are. I always pay cash 
on delivery. " 

As he spoke, he placed upon the desk a package of bank- 
notes he had just taken from one of the drawers. 

“ You smile, " he remarked, glancing at Becherek “ I 
see that Gustave has told you the name I go by — Cash on 
Delivery. It is an expression I frequently use in my busi- 
ness, so the gay young men who make it the business of 
their lives to enjoy themselves, and poke fun at more seri- 
ous-minded people, have fallen into the habit of calling 
me by that name. I believe they even style me Father 
Cash on Delivery — I, who have never had either wife 
or children, and who am an incorrigible old bachelor. 
But pardon me, my dear sir, for again wandering from 
the subject. Will you have the goodness to sign this,, 
and add your address to your name? Oh, yes, and write 
above your name, ‘ Good for eleven thousand francs/ I 
will fill out the rest of the note myself. The time is to be 
three months, is it not?” 

“ Three months/' repeated Robert. 

“ That is all. Please take the trouble to count the 
notes. ' 9 

iC They are all right/' replied Becherel, rising and slip- 
ping the money into his pocket. “ There is nothing left 
for me to do now, sir, but compliment you on the courtesy' 
with which you transact business matters, and bid you 
good- morning." 

“ One word more, my dear sir, before you go. This is 
the first time you ever did me the honor to call on me, 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


32 

and you are doubtless astonished to find me in such a 
miserable old barrack. ” 

“ I must admit that the external appearance of your 
house rather surprised me/* replied Robert. 

“ Why do you not frankly admit that it frightened you?” 
returned Marcaudier, laughing. “ You must excuse me 
for having received you here. Gustave ought simply to 
have taken you with him to the Bourse to-day. I go there 
every day, and he knows where to find me. It is true, 
however, that I seldom get there before one o'clock, and 
that you were in a hurry for the money. Gustave knows 
my habits. I attend to matters of this kind here between 
the hours of eight and ten in the morning, but I do not re- 
side in this old rookery, I assure you. On the contrary, I 
have a very cozy little house on the Rue Mozart, in Passy. 
The old rattle-trap in which you find me was a part of the 
inheritance I received from an uncle, so I have furnished 
a room here, and left the rest of the house in charge of a 
woman as old and hideous as the building she guards. It 
is a convenient place to meet people who desire my serv- 
ices and whom I do not care to receive in my own home. 
As for the old woman you must have seen in the porter's 
lodge she was in the employ of my deceased uncle, and is 
devoted to me.'' 

“ She took me for a locksmith.” 

4 ‘ Impossible!” 

But she did. She nearly snapped my head off when I 
inquired if you were at home, and then she asked me if I 
had come for the locks.” 

“ She could not have seen you very plainly. It's as 
dark as Egypt on the stairs. '' 

“ So dark that I had a good deal of difficulty in finding 
my way up, especially as I met no one.” 

“ Naturally. I have made no effort to rent the other 
apartments, which are only fit for kennels. I have even 
had the doors nailed up. " 


CASH OY DELI VERY. 


53 


You are not alone in the house, however. ” 

61 Pardon me. I am entirely alone — unless you count 
Mother Rembriche, my portress. ” 

“ But I have reason to know that the room at the end of 
ithe other passage on this floor is occupied.” 

“ You are mistaken. The door next to mine opens into 
a dark passage that has no other outlet.” 

“ I found the door standing ajar; the lock had been re- 
moved, and I entered the passage.” 

Here Marcaudier gave a nervous start that did not escape 
BecherePs attentive eye. 

“ Yes, I entered it,” he continued, “ and walked down 
to the end of the passage. ” 

“ If you did, you must have broken your nose,” sneered 
Marcaudier, who had already regained his self-possession. 

I have never explored the passage you speak of, but I 
know that there is a solid wall at the further end 
of it. ” 

“ There is a wall, I admit, but there is a door in it.” 
Indeed?” 

“ Yes, a door heavily barred with iron. There is noth- 
ing to prevent you from convincing yourself of the fact if 
vou wish to do so.” 

“ What good would it do. This house adjoins another, 
in regard to whose owner and inmates I know positively 
nothing. Possibly both houses once belonged to the same 
person, but they were sold separately, and my uncle must 
have closed up all communication between them. You 
found the door securely locked, I suppose?” 

Very securely. I pounded upon it, and even kicked 
it, but it showed no signs of yielding.” 

“ But why were you so determined to gain an entrance, 
my dear sir?” asked Marcaudier, laughing. 

‘ f Because I heard some one — a woman I think — moan- 
ing and crying on the other side of the door, but as soon as 
I began to rap the sound ceased. I should not have men- 


54 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


tionecl the fact, however, if you had not told me that there 
was no one in the house but yourself." 

66 1 am greatly indebted to you for the information, I 
assure you, and I shall send for a mason and have the door 
leading into this passage, as well as into the adjoining 
house, walled up immediately, so if you ever honor me 
with another visit, as I sincerely hope you will, you will 
not be subjected to a similar annoyance. ” 

Becherel bowed without replying, for he was resolved to 
have no further dealings with M. Marcaudier, and he was 
already maneuvering to reach the door when the usurer 
remarked, with real or pretended carelessness: 

“ May I venture to ask if you spent a pleasant evening' 
at Madame de Malvoisine's?" 

“ Not sufficiently agreeable to console me for the loss of 
ten thousand francs," replied Robert, dryly. 

“ True! But aside from that slight misfortune — which 
has already been repaired — you must have enjoyed your- 
self, and must certainly have noticed Mademoiselle Her- 
minia des Andrieux." 

“ Gustave introduced me to her. ” 

“ She is a charming young lady, is she not? And she 
will be very rich some day, a fact that certainly does not 
detract from her good looks. I know her uncle well. He 
is worth several millions, and will leave all his property to 
her. If you are looking for a wife, you certainly could 
not find a more desirable one than the young lady in ques- 
tion." 

“ I have no intention of marrying at present,," Robert 
answered brusquely. 

“ Then you are making a great mistake. Of course I 
understand that at your age a young man likes to enjoy 
himself, but one need not prevent the other, and you really 
ought to think of the future." 

“ I am greatly obliged to you, sir, for your advice, but: 
it is time for me to be at the office, and — " 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


55 


* e Excuse me, excuse me, my dear sir. What I said was 
entirely on your own account, but I have no right to 
dictate to you, and I bitterly reproach myself for having 
detained you so long when Monsieur Labitte is waiting for 
you,” added Marcaudier, stepping aside to let Beclierel 
pass. 

The latter heaved a sigh of relief on finding himself 
again in the street, with the money safe in his pocket, for 
though he could not but be grateful to Gustave Piton for 
sending him to this usurer, he could not help wondering if 
lie had not fallen into bad hands. 

Mr. Cash on Delivery seemed to him a very suspicious 
character, and he fancied there must be some sort of a 
bond between him and Mme. de Malvoisine; besides, he 
said to himself, that in ordinary life a loan like that he had 
just negotiated was not treated so lightly. He suspected, 
too, that the moans he had heard in the corridor were not 
those of a sick woman, and that thev did not come from an 
adjoining house, as Marcaudier had declared. 

“ Still, why should I worry myself into a fever about 
these matters?” he exclaimed, trying to drive these un- 
pleasant suspicions from his mind. “ I have the money, 
and three months to pay it in. They can’t compel me to 
marry the huge Herminia, so what do I care for all their 
plotting and planning.” 

He was anxious to return the ten thousand francs to his 
employer’s safe as soon as possible now. He might post- 
pone doing so until the following day, as he had just writ- 
ten to M. Labitte that he would not be at the office that 
day, but he thought it would be better to get the money 
out of his hands without delay. 

He was not to breakfast with Gustave until eleven 
o’clock, so he had plenty of time to go to the Rue d’Eng- 
Lien before the hour appointed for meeting his friend at 
the restaurant on the Place de la Bourse. 

He accordingly wended his way there, but instead of go- 


56 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


in g straight into the banker’s office as usual, he paused m 
the office of the cashier — a kind-hearted old man with 
whom he was on the best of terms. 

“ My dear MaringaVd,” he remarked, “ Monsieur La- 
bi tte requested me to deliver ten thousand francs last even- 
ing to one of the clients of the house, a Monsieur do 
Brangue, who resides on the Rue de 1’ Arcade. I did not 
find the gentleman at home, so I have brought the money 
back.” 

“ You had better give it to Monsieur Labitte,” replied 
the cashier. “ He probably took it from his own private 
purse, and I am not authorized to receive it. ” 

“ Put it in the safe. It won’t make any difference, and 
I don’t want to see Monsieur Labi tte, for I wrote to him 
just now requesting leave of absence for to-day.” 

“ He can not have received your note then, for he is ex- 
pecting you. 1 received a message from him just now, re- 
questing me to send you into his private office as soon as 
you came in.” 

“ The deuce! I’m afraid he’ll keep me, and I had 
planned to spend my day very differently. There seems to 
be no help for it, though, so I shall have to make the best, 
of it. I hope he won’t keep me long.” 

M. Labitte’s office adjoined that of the cashier, and 
Robert had only to open the door to enter it. 

He found the banker engaged in writing a letter. 

“ I have brought back the ten thousand francs you in- 
trusted to me, sir,” Robert began. “Monsieur de 
Brangue was not at home, and—’ ’ 

“ Sit down,” interrupted M. Labitte, without pausing in 
his writing. “ I want to speak to you.” 

The banker was a tall, spare, and rather austere-looking 
man about sixty years of age. His smoothly shaven face 
and suit of black broadcloth made him look very much like 
a magistrate, and all his clerks stood in great awe of 
him. 


CASH (XtST DELIVERY. 


57 


Robert, who had always been treated with exceptional 
kindness, was greatly surprised at this reception, but he 
took a seat and waited, still- holding the bank-notes in his 
hand. 

M. Labitte finished his letter, placed it in an envelope, 
wrote the address, and after laying it on top of a pile on 
dhe desk, said, turning to his secretary: 

“ So you have the money ?” 

“ Here it is, sir. ” • 

“ Where did you obtain it?” 

“ What do you mean:” stammered Robert. 

' £ You certainly did not have it two hours ago, when you 
wrote to me asking permission to absent yourself to-day. 
Of whom did you borrow it?” 

Robert turned very pale, and was about to protest when 
M. Labitte checked him by saying, coldly: 

44 Spare yourself the humiliation of telling a falsehood. 
I know that you lost the money I intrusted to you last 
night at the card-table. I even know where, and to whom 
you lost it. ” 

“ Who told you?” demanded Becherel quickly. 

“ That is not of the slightest consequence. I know it, 
and you can not deny it. ” 

Pardon me, sir. I did lose that amount, it is true, 
and the bank-notes that I lost were yours, but I had ten 
thousand francs of my own, and more, so I only risked my 
own money, as I was in a position to make the loss good 
this morning. And here is the money,” he added, laying 
the notes on the desk. 

“ I can hardly believe that you only had to take the 
money out of one of your drawers,” said the banker cold- 
ly. “ I am perfectly well aware that you would have been 
able to repay the money sooner or later, but your only 
worldly possessions consist of real estate, in which your 
mother holds a life interest, for I do not believe that you 
have saved ten thousand francs out of the salary I give you. 


58 


CASH OH DELIVERY, 


Besides, if you really had the money on hand, as you pre- 
tend, you would not have written to me this morning, ask- 
ing me to grant you leave of absence until to-morrow* 
You wanted to give yourself time to procure the money* 
You succeeded in doing this sooner than you expected, so 
here you are.” 

As he spoke the banker looked searchingly at Becherel, 
as if anxious to discern some sign of contrition, or, at least, 
of the embarrassment that precedes a confession in his, 
countenance, but Bobert, instead of blushing, met his gaze^ 
calmly, even haughtily. His pride stifled the voice of con- 
science, and he replied, carelessly: 

“ I have no reason to reproach myself. You intrusted 
ten thousand francs to me yesterday. I return the money 
to you this morning. What more can you ask?” 

“ Then you think that restitution will suffice to destroy 
the recollection of a breach of confidence?” 

“ Sir!” cried Bobert, springing up in a furious passion. 

“ Yes, a breach of confidence,” repeated M. Labitte*. 
“ I repeat the words, because I know no other name for 
the offense you have committed; and you must have veiy 
mistaken ideas in regard to honor if you think it enough 
to return the property of another person after you have 
appropriated it to your own use for a day, or even for an 
hour. Even if you spoke the truth when you said that you 
were in possession of a sum of money equal to that you had 
lost you would be none the less to blame for having be- 
trayed a trust that should have been sacred to you. I 
would rather never have seen the money again than hear 
that you had used it at the card-table. So much the worse* 
for you, young man, if you do not realize the gravity of such 
an offense. Bemember there are not two codes of morals;, 
there is but one. Was it your father who taught you the 
one you seem to believe?” 

“ I forbid you to speak of my father in this manner.” 

“ Your father was my friend; and it is because he was 


CASH Ois DELIVERY. 


59 


any friend that I have a right to remind you that he, too, 
would never look at these matters seriously, and that this 
unfortunate habit cost him dear. He died — partially ruined 
in purse, and — almost disgraced. I forgave him his faults, 
though they had cost me dear; but I tell you frankly that 
his death was most fortunate, for if he had lived much 
longer Heaven only knows how he would have ended. His 
(example was one which you would do well to shun . 99 

“ Enough, sir . 99 

66 Will you be kind enough to hear me out? I have a 
word to say to you in relation to your mother. She is a 
saint; and she has suffered much. Have you thought of 
the fresh grief you are about to cause her? The letter I 
was finishing when you came in was to her. When 
she hears to-morrow that I have been obliged to dismiss 
you it will be the severest blow she has received' since your 
lather’s death. Only a week ago I wrote her that I was 
very much pleased with you; now I am obliged to announce 
■a misfortune for which I was as utterly unprepared as she 
can possibly be . 99 

This allusion to his mother touched Robert deeply, and 
his eyes filled with tears; but his wounded pride soon re- 
gained its ascendancy, and conquering his emotion he said, 
dryly: * 

“ You dismiss me, then? You have no further use for 
me?” he added, gazing at M. Labitte with a defiant air. 

“ You leave me no alternative; besides, I feel convinced 
that what I am doing is for your own good. I do not un- 
derestimate your good qualities. I have had plenty of time 
to recognize and appreciate them during the past year, and 
I do ample justice to your intelligence and activity. But 
you turn from the path of rectitude at the very first oppor- 
tunity that presents itself. Other opportunities will be 
offered, and you will again yield to temptation; so I think 
it will be best for you to give up a position in which you 
will constantly be exposed to new temptations. Choose a 


60 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


profession in which you will never have any financial re- 
sponsibility. It will be your only salvation. I wish you 
success, and I will assist you if I can. 99 

“ Thanks!” said Bober t, ironically. “ Our acquaint- 
ance, however, had better cease here and now; but I should 
like to know what you wrote to my mother . 99 

“ I wrote her that you had been gambling, and that I 
could not keep you in my employ any longer. I refrained 
from adding that you had lost money that did not belong 
to you. I should not have told her that even if you had 
not returned the money. My decision is irrevocable, how- 
ever. 99 

“ I shall not make any attempt to change it, I assure 
you. The only thing left for me now is to ask you once 
more to whom I am indebted for a dismissal for which I 
shall have very little trouble in consoling myself, how- 
ever?” 

“ I am under no obligation to give you the name of my 
informant; and I am surprised that you should try to 
wound one who has certainly proved himself a friend, by 
such bitter words. All I have to say is that if you were 
more familiar with Paris and Parisian life you would know* 
that the house where you met with this mishap is one of 
those where thoughtless gossip is quite the order of the day.. 
It is frequented by all sorts of people who do not consider 
themselves under the slightest obligation to keep what hap- 
pens there a secret. The merest chance brought to my 
ofiice this morning a person who met you there last night, 
and who told me nothing but the truth, as you yourself 
have been obliged to admit. We had better let the subject 
drop now, I think. You can rely upon my keeping the 
affair a secret. Your mother alone will know what has oc- 
curred. There will be nothing to prevent you from giving- 
your friends to understand that you left me of your own 
accord . 99 

A cold bow from the banker terminated the interview. 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


61 


Robert scarcely deigned to return it, and left the office 
without another word. 

But once out of his former employer's sight, all his pre- 
tended indifference vanished; and he left the building 
crushed and stunned, like a man who had just received a 
severe blow on the head. He staggered as he descended 
the steps, and when he reached the street he walked aim- 
lessly on without even knowing where he was going. The 
shock was the more severe from the fact that he received it 
just as he was rejoicing over his miraculous escape from the 
embarrassing position into which his imprudence had 
plunged him. 

To his credit be it said, however, that he was less troubled 
about the loss of his situation than the grief his mother 
would experience on receiving M. Labitte's letter. 

“ I, too, will write to my mother," he murmured, “ and 
tell her that this man is a cold and unfeeling creature who 
is pleased to consider a mere peccadillo a heinous crime. I 
will tell her that the whole difficulty can be adjusted by 
raising, by means of a mortgage, a sum of money that will 
make no appreciable difference in our fortune, and that I 
can easily find another situation in place of the one I have 
lost. Colonel Mornac, who knows almost everybody in 
Paris, will cheerfully find me one, I am sure. My mother* 
who knows him, will feel reassured when she hears that I 
have met him and that he still takes an interest in me., 
Nevertheless, I would give all the ready money I have left 
to know the name of the scoundrel who denounced me. I 
haven't the slightest idea who it could have been. The 
habitues of Madame de Malvoisine's house are not business 
men, and would not be likely to have any dealings with 
Labitte. But now I think of it, Galimas is a stock-broker* 
and stock-brokers often visit banking-houses to solicit, 
orders. Galimas must have learned through Gustave that 
I was Labitte's private secretary, so he hurried to the bank, 
this morning to regale my employer with the history of my 


62 


CASH ON" DELIVERY. 


'escapade. I have an old score to settle with him, and he 
shall settle with me for this at the same time. I will in- 
sult him in the presence of the whole Stock Exchange. 
Gustave offered to take me there after breakfast, and I in- 
tend to accept the invitation. After I have given Galimas 
a lesson I will go down to Rennes and spend a month with 
my mother to console her.” 

When he reached the corner of the Rue du Faubourg 
Poissonniere, where he lived, he recollected that the hour 
of his appointment with Gustave was eleven o’clock, and 
as it lacked only a few minutes of that time he turned his 
steps in the direction of the Bourse instead of returning 
home to write to his mother as he had previously intended. 

“ It will answer every purpose if my letter is mailed by 
five o’clock,” he thought; “ and it is of the utmost im- 
portance for me to see Gustave this morning, not only to 
tell him what has happened, but to remind him that lie 
promised to serve as my second against the scoundrel who 
has not only insulted me but acted the part of a cowardly 
informer.” 

The clock was just striking eleven when he reached the 
door of the restaurant where he was to meet his friend. 
There was quite a crowd in the square already, and he had 
considerable difficulty in crossing the street on account of 
the numerous carriages that were flying about in every 
direction. 

There was almost as much bustle and confusion in the 
restaurant as in the square. Every table was occupied; 
and he was obliged to exercise considerable skill and pa- 
tience to reach that at which Gustave was just finishing a 
dozen oysters. 

“I began without you,” he remarked; “ but I have 
ordered cutlets and eggs fried with truffles for two, and 
here are your oysters. Sit down and begin your breakfast. 
We’ve no time to lose. ” 

“ Why are you in such a hurry:” 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


6$ 


44 To-morrow is liquidation day; and the day is likely to 
be an exciting one, especially as there are all sorts of rumors 
afloat. But that is neither here nor there. Did you have* 
a satisfactory interview with Cash on Delivery?” 

44 Yes; he seemed to be expecting me; and the interview 
was not a long one. After a conversation of about a quar- 
ter of an hour he gave me the ten thousand francs.” 

44 I prophesied as much, you recollect. He’s a very pleas- 
ant sort of a fellow to deal with, don’t you think so?” 

44 Oh, yes; very pleasant, ” replied Becherel. 44 So pleas- 
ant, in fact, that I don’t altogether trust him.” 

And why?” inquired Gustave. 

Because no one ever saw a usurer before who was ready" 
and willing to loan so large a sum of money to a person he 
knew nothing about.” 

4 4 You forget I had told him all about you before yott 
went there. He knew that you belonged to a highly- re- 
spectable family, and that you were the possessor of quite a, 
snug little fortune, which your mother shares with yoix 
now, but which will be all your own some day. And then 
your name had its effect with him, as with everybody 
else. ” 


6 ( 


i t 


44 My name! One would suppose I was a direct descend- 
ant of the dukes of Brittany to hear you talk. We belong 
to a respectable old country family, that is all.” 

44 But that is quite enough for people who would be loath 
to mention their grandfather’s calling. It is very evident 
that you know nothing about these parvenues. Marcau- 
dier’s father was a waiter in a restaurant; and that accounts 
for his weakness for persons with a title or even a cle before 
their names. ” 

44 Are Madame de Malvoisine and Mademoiselle des 
Andrieux par venues too?” inquired Robert, ironically. 

44 1 shouldn’t wonder,” replied Gustave laughing. 44 1 
certainly should not be willing to guarantee that their an- 
cestors figured among the Crusaders.” 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


*64 

c * Nor that the fair Herminia is not the daughter of the 
countess who passes her off as her ward, eh?” 

What! you know that?” 

“ An old friend of my father's, who was there last even- 
ing, told me so.” 

Then it is useless to try to conceal it from you. Her- 
minia is an illegitimate child; but she will have a dowry 
large enough to make up for that; but I repeat that you 
could hardly do better than to marry her.” 

“ Marcaudier made the same remark to me. There 
seems to be a sort of conspiracy in all this. But I warn 
you that it will prove a failure,, Such a marriage would 
not suit me at all.” 

“ Oh, well, don't get angry. No one has any intention 
*of compelling you to marry the girl against your will.” 

“ I presume not; so suppose we change the subject. Do 
you know what has befallen me?” 

“ No, upon my word, I do not.” 

“ Labitte has just dismissed me as he would dismiss a 
servant, and even more summarily, for he didn't even give 
me a week's notice.” 

** And why?” 

“ Because the scoundrel who won all your money last 
night at ecarte went to him this morning and told him that 
X lost ten thousand francs at cards last night.” 

“ Galimas? the rascal!” 

“ Yes, my friend, the scoundrel denounced me. I am 
almost sure of it. I hope you will not take his part now 
as you did after our quarrel at the card-table last evening; 
and I warn you that on leaving here I intend to go straight 
to the Bourse for the exjaress purpose of boxing his ears.” 

“ That wvill be pretty rough treatment; but he certainly 
deserves it — that is, unless he was actuated by no malicious 
motive in disclosing what he did. He could have had no 
suspicion that the money you handed me at the beginning 
of the game belonged to your employer, and on dropping 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


(35 


into Labitte’s office for orders, as he is in the habit of doing 
every morning, he must have thoughtlessly let the cat out 
of the bag. ” 

“ There you are trying to excuse him again! You had 
better be trying to excuse yourself for not having told me 
that the fellow knew Labitte.” 

“ I did very wrong, I admit.” 

The conversation ceased for awhile. Robert was think- 
ing of the vengeance he was determined to wreak upon 
Galimas; and Gustave too seemed to be deeply absorbed in 
thought — a very unusual thing for him. 

“ Listen,” resumed Gustave after quite a long silence, 
“ Galimas has acted infamousty. I am going to pay him 
the ten thousand francs I owe him, and then I intend to 
tell him exactly what I think of his conduct. He will find 
that he has two duels on hand instead of one. But now let 
us talk over your plans. What are you going to do now 
you have lost your situation?” 

“ I haven’t the slightest idea. If nothing better offers I 
shall return to Rennes.” 

“ I should call that a last resort. How would you like 
to remain in Paris, and go into a business that would yield 
you from one to two thousand francs a month to begin 
with: ” 

“Don’t try to make fun of me. lam in no jesting 
mood, I assure you. ” 

“ I am not jesting. If you will go into partnership with 
me, I’ll guarantee you at least that much. ” 

“ Become a speculator? Never! In the first place, 1 
know nothing in the world about stocks.” 

“ What did you do at Labitte’s?” 

“ I had charge of his correspondence. He never sent 
me to the Bourse. He promised my mother he would 
not—” ' • . 

“ Ah! so you are afraid of displeasing your mother!” 

“ I am my own master, but I repeat that I have no taste 

3 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


OG 

and no talent for the business you propose to me. Besides^ 
I know nothing at all about it.” 

£< I will teach you, and in five or six lessons you will 
know more than I do. ” 

44 Thanks, but I am sure it is not my vocation,” replied 
Robert, brusquely, 44 so we had better say no more about 
it. Tell me instead, what occurred at Madame de Mai- 
voi sinews after my departure. Did that young lady — Made- 
moiselle Violette — remain in the drawing-room until the 
close of the evening?” 

44 So you are still thinking about that young lady, are 
you?” cried Gustave. 44 Ah, well, she left the drawing- 
room shortly after you did, and later in the evening the 
countess told me that she had dismissed her. Made- 
moiselle Violette consequently finds herself without a situa- 
tion; and you two certainly ought to sympathize with each 
other. But you need feel no uneasiness about her. She 
will have no trouble about finding another, for she has 
great musical talent. She might do much better for her- 
self pecuniarily, if she chose, for Galimas would be only 
too glad to lavish his money upon her.” 

44 That man again! Can it be that you have sworn to 
exasperate me beyond endurance?” cried Robert, striking 
the table with his clinched fist. 

44 Don't fly into a passion, my dear fellow. Made- 
moiselle Violette is quite capable of taking care of herself. 
Galimas will have his labor for his pains. Besides, you 
can protect her if necessary. Though if you have any in- 
tention of doing that you had better try to make a little 
money. Money is power, you know, and I am going to put 
you in the way to make some to-day.” 

44 Much obliged, but I don't want to run any risk of 
losing, and with my experience of last night still fresh in 
my mind—” 

‘ 4 Oh! Tin not going to associate you with me in my 
speculations unless 1 have a sure thing of it. Do you see 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


67 


that tall man who is coming toward us? * Ah, well! let me 
have about three minutes conversation with him, and I 
shall then know exactly what to depend upon. ' ' 

Gustave rose, shook hands with the new-comer, took him 
off behind a large dowering shrub planted in a box a few 
yards from the table, and began a confidential conversation 
with him. 

This new-comer was a liglit-complexioned, tolerably 
good-looking man, whose costume was one of studied 
elegance. At the first glance one might have taken him 
for a man of rank and culture, but on looking at him 
more attentively Robert perceived that he had a treacher- 
ous eye and a crafty face. After a few minutes he walked 
away, and Gustave rushed back to the table. 

“ Make haste and drink your coffee. You can finish 
your cigar under the colonnade. Time is money this 
morni ng.” 

“ Why?” 

“ You will see presently. Waiter, bring the bill.” 

As his friend made his way toward the door, Robert, who 
was following him closely, saw several men with hooked 
noses and a Hebrew cast of countenance endeavor to speak 
to him, but Gustave, without even pausing, waved them 
aside with a gesture that said more plainly than any words: 
“ Jl have nothing to tell you.” 

“ Do they take you for an oracle?” asked Becherel. 

“ For a sub-oracle, and they are not far from right. I 
have just heard a valuable piece of news, and I intend to 
keep it to myself. By the time they hear it my game will 
be won. ” 

“ So you intend to speculate to-day?” 

“ What a question! Do you suppose I am going to en- 
ter that building merely to contemplate the frescoes that 
adorn the ceiling?” 

Becherel said no more, but allowed himself to be dragged 
toward the Grecian temple where the devotees of Mammon 


68 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


worship with such frenzied devotion. A long line of car- 
riages bordered the sidewalk, and others were constantly 
driving up with speculators and brokers, who hardly 
waited for the horse to stop before leaping to the ground, 
for the hour for opening the Bourse had come, and the 
sound of excited voices could already be heard. The be- 
lated ones were mounting the steps, three at a time, and 
the peristyle and colonnades were already thronged. 

Everybody was running wildly about, shouting and gesti- 
culating frantically. 

“I never visited a lunatic asylum,” thought Becherel, 
“ but I fancy that the inmates of one do not appear as de- 
mented and boisterous as these gentlemen.” 

Gustave did not allow him much time for reflection, 
however. 

“ Come with me,” he cried, darting up the steps, “ and 
whatever I say or do, maintain a prudent silence. I ask 
only one favor of you, and that is to keep your mouth 
shut. ” 

On reaching the colonnade he turned to the left, and led 
Becherel to the place where the north gallery intersects the 
grand staircase. 

“ Remain here and you will see an exciting spectacle / 3 
he remarked. 

“ But I came here to box Galimas’s ears, not to watch 
the brokers.” 

“You can do that by and by, and I will help you — after 
I’ve finished the little business transaction we have on 
hand. ” 

“ You have on hand, you mean. I don’t want to have 
anything to do with it.” 

Gustave did not wait to hear the end of the protest, but 
darted into the crowd, where he was immediately sur- 
rounded by a dozen excited men, from whom he finally 
succeeded in making his escape, though not without a des- 
perate struggle. 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


60 


Several young men rushed by Robert* note-book in 
hand, to give the prices of the various stocks to their 
clients under the colonnade, soon returning to again plunge 
into the fiery furnace, which must be in full blast, judg- 
ing from the noise it made. Soon this handsome and 
rather distinguished-looking young gentleman attracted 
their attention, and they paused for a second as they 
passed, to enlighten him, too, in regard to prices, by 
thrusting their note-books under his nose, a courtesy which 
Robert felt obliged to acknowledge by a “ Thanks, mon- 
sieur,” that seemed to surprise them very much, not being 
accustomed to such politeness. 

“ They take me for a speculator, that is evident,” 
thought Becherel. “ I’ve a great mind to get out of here. 
But no, I can’t go until I have seen Gustave again, that 
is, unless Galimas should happen to pass. ” 

So he resolved to wait as patiently as he could, and ac- 
cordingly made an attempt to divert his mind by listening 
to the conversation that was going on around him, though 
much of it was more unintelligible than Greek to him. 

“ How are they selling now?” he heard one man ask. 

“ They are falling rapidly. 82^ were the last figures.” 

“ And they opened at 8C. That is a sharp decline. ” 

“ What is the cause of it?” 

“ Bad news from Tonquin. ” 

“ Is the news official?” 

44 It hasn’t been published yet, but big Gustave is always 
well posted. He has a friend of the minister of war at his 
elbow. He has just sold three hundred thousand francs’ 
worth. ” 

u He must be sure of the fact then. He is too shrewd 
to be caught. But he must have somebody to back him; 
he hasn’t credit enough for transactions of that magni- 
tude.” 

Things went on in this way for at least twenty minutes, 
and Robert, in his bewilderment, began to wonder if his 


70 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


friend had gone mad. He finally concluded that it would 
be advisable to make some further inquiries, and seeing a 
rather pleasant-faced young broker standing alone a few 
steps from him, he stepped up to him, and touching his hat 
politely, inquired: 

“ Can you tell me what all this means, sir?” 

“ Certainly, sir. Government securities are going down 
because Monsieur de Bismarck is selling. ” 

■* What, sir?” 

cc You see that big man over there with a red nose and 
mutton-chop whiskers. Well, he is Prince Bismarck's 
private secretary, and he has been sent here by his master 
for the express purpose of unloading his stock. '' 

Robert perceived now that the young man was making 
open fun of him. He turned pale with anger, and was 
about to answer him in kind, when another broker rushed 
up, and seizing his facetious friend by the collar, ex- 
claimed : 

■ c What are you doing here? Canler is looking for you 
everywhere. The news from Tonquin was only a canard . 
Rentes are going up again like mad. In less than five 
minutes they will be above the opening price. They are 
selling at 82^ already.” 

They both rushed off, and were out of sight and hearing 
before Becherel could find the stinging retort with which 
he proposed to annihilate the impertinent young man to 
whom he had applied for information. 

“ I must look like a greenhorn,” he muttered, savagely. 
“ If I ever see that fellow again I'll pay him for his im- 
pertinence. What a rude, unmannerly set these brokers 
are. I'm not used to associating with such people, and I 
certainly am not going to begin now.'' 

And he was about taking his departure when he saw 
Gustave rushing toward him, puffing and panting. 

“ So you've come at last!'' exclaimed Becherel. “ I was 
just going. What were you thinking of to leave me here? 


CASH 01s DELIVERY. 


71 


Will you do me the favor to tell me why you insisted upon 
bringing me here?” 

“ To make some money for you, you great simpleton,” 
replied Gustave, dragging his friend out of the crowd. 
li Our little scheme proved a success.” 

“ What little scheme?” 

“ On reaching the Bourse we sold three hundred thou- 
sand francs worth of rentes at the rate of eighty-two francs 
seventy-five centimes, and we just repurchased them at the 
rate of eighty-two francs twenty-five centimes. ” 

“ I don’t understand you.” 

“ What! you don’t understand that we make a profit of 
fifty centimes a share by the operation — an aggregate of 
one hundred and fifty thousand francs — less commission!” 

“ You must be jestiug. In the first place, I did not 
authorize you to embark in any speculation on my account; 
besides, if I had lost such an amount I should not have 
been able to pay it; so it is impossible for me to accept any 
share of the profits. It would not be honest in me, and T 
absolutely refuse to do so.” 

“■You refuse!” exclaimed Gustave. “ What an absurd 
and unreasonable creature you are. I bring you a snug 
little fortune almost, and you turn up your nose at it. It 
is ridiculous in you. I’ll set your mind at rest, my dear 
fellow, for you must understand that if it had not been for 
you I shouldn’t have been able to manipulate three hun- '. 
dred thousand francs worth of securities. I made use of 
your name and your credit in the transaction.” 

“ My credit? You must be crazy.” 

“ No, listen, and I’ll explain how I managed it. I have 
a friend who is in a position to get hold of trustworthy in- 
formation — or what passes for such — the tall, light-corn- 
plexioued fellow you saw in the restaurant, and it is enough 
for him to be seen talking with me for people to suppose 
that he has just confided a government secret to me. As 
I wanted to speculate a little on my own account to-day. 


72 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


and didn't have credit enough, I took your name, and 
Monsieur de Becherel, a wealthy real estate owner in Brit- 
tany has figured quite extensively here to-day, through my 
agency of course. A broker who has great confidence in 
me bought and sold the stocks for me without asking me 
any questions, and we repurchased just one minute before 
the official dispatch denying the news of the disaster in 
Tonquin was affixed to the bulletin board, and now you 
have only to accompany me to the office of our broker on 
the fourth day of next month to receive the one hundred 
and fifty thousand francs we have cleared by the operation. 
I shall have to give one half of the amount to the person 
who gave me the information, and we will divide the rest, 
so there’ll be about thirty-five thousand francs apiece for 
us. What do you say to that? Wasn’t I right when I 
told you that the business was a good oner” 

I don’t know what you think about it, but I consider 
the circulation of false reports for the purpose of influenc- 
ing the market nothing more or less than a swindle, and 
as I said before, I absolutely refuse to profit by it. ” 

“ You can do as you please about that, of course, but I 
hope you won’t refuse to go and draw the money. I can’t 
get it if you don’t, for the transaction was conducted in 
your name. You needn’t take any of the money of course, 
unless you choose to do so, but you will have to sign the re- 
. ceipt. You surely won ’t make me lose the money I’ve made. ” 
“ Very well, I will draw it for you, but I shall tell the 
broker how I happened to be mixed up in the affair.” 

“ That would be even worse, for you would ruin my 
credit completely. If it should become known that Iliad 
operated in your name, without your knowledge or consent, 
I should never find another firm that would be willing to 
fill an order for me. There would be nothing left for me 
but to jump into the Seine, and you would be the cause of 
my death. A nice way of thanking me for putting thirty- 
five thousand francs in your pocket. ” 


CASH OX DELIVERY. 


73 


“ I won’t take the money, I tell you.” 

“ Of course you will do exactly as you please about that. 
I only venture to remind you that it is three times the 
amount you lost last night at Madame de Malvoisine’s, and 
that it will come in very conveniently, now you have lost 
your situation. So far as your scruples are concerned, I 
must say that they are utterly absurd. Do you suppose 
that even the virtuous Labitte would refuse to profit by 
any information that came in his way? I’ll warrant that 
if he had known what my friend just told me, he would 
have sold securities by the armful and made liis millions — 
instead of thousands— for he operates on a colossal scale. 
Don’t be a child. Look at life as it really is, a perpetual 
struggle in which all that is not forbidden is permissible. 
This morning before breakfast you were groaning about 
your debts, and talking of going back to Rennes to bury 
yourself there, and deploring your inability to render the 
charming Violette some assistance. The wheel of fortune 
has turned for you now. You are the possessor of a snug 
little sum; there is nothing to compel you to leave Paris 
or to prevent you from coming to the aid of your new 
divinity. Money is the sinews of war, in love as in every- 
thing else. ” 

“ Enough. If I decide to take the money it will only be 
to repay Marcaudier. As for Galimas — ” 

“I had no idea that you were such a man to bear 
malice. I, when I have such a run of good luck, feel like 
forgiving all my enemies. I just saw Galimas. He 
scarcely had time to take the ten thousand francs I owed 
him. He wasn’t as well posted as I was, and was caught. 
He’s been losing' money like fury, and — ” 

“ I hope he’ll be ruined. ” 

“ What a hard-hearted creature you are! I don’t think 
there’s any danger of his being ruined, but you can rest 
assured that lie’ll lose a good round sum, and in that case 
he’ll have something else to do than run after Mademoiselle 


74 


CASH OX DELIVERY. 


Yiolette. But I can’t waste ativ more time talking to you. 
I must go back and see what they're doing in there. If 
you’ll take niv advice vou’ll let Galimas alone. He’s for- 
gotten all about you and the seconds you were to send him, 
and if he did tell Labitte, which I am strongly inclined to 
doubt, he did you a service, though unwittingly, as you are 
now on the road to fortune. You’ll receive a statement 
from our broker to-morrow, and I hope that I’ve succeeded 
in converting you to more sensible notions and that you 
will cease to spurn the favors Fate has bestowed upon you. 
An revoir 

Robert, once more left alone, asked himself if he had not 
been dreaming. He could not accustom himself to the 
idea that his situation had just been entirely changed by 
the stroke of a fairy’s wand, and that he owed this miracle 
to the burly fellow whom chance had thrown in his path 
only the evening before. 

He could not yet congratulate himself upon having met 
Gustave, but he was less firmly resolved to refuse his share 
of the ill-acquired gains. He said to himself that with this 
money he should be able to pay the debt that weighed so 
heavily upon him, and^ without being obliged to grieve his 
mother by mortgaging their property. 

In the meantime he must write to his mother, and if he 
wished his letter to reach her at the same time as that of 
M. Labitte he had no time to lose, so he hastened to his 
lodgings. 

On arriving there, he found a letter that had been left 
during his absence. The handwriting was unknown to 
him, but on carelessly breaking the seal, he was not a little 
surprised to see these lines: 

I must have a few minutes conversation with vou. If 
you feel any interest in my welfare, meet me at two 
o’clock to-morrow on the terrace near the orangery. 

“ Yiolette.” 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


75 


CHAPTER III. 

The month of February was drawing to a close, and the 
near approach of spring was apparent. The sun was shin- 
ing brightly from a cloudless sky, and departing winter 
seemed to be trying to atone for her past severity by grant- 
ing the Parisians a warm and serene day. 

More delightful weather for a promenade could hardly 
be imagined, and the privileged persons who were not 
chained to the desk or work-shop by stern necessity, were 
crowding the streets, and the Champs Elysees was thronged 
with equipages on their way to the Bois. 

At a quarter of two o’clock, Robert de Becherel entered 
the garden of the Tuileries, and walked rapidly toward the 
Orangery. 

After writing to his mother he had spent the rest of the 
evening before in reviewing the events of that day and of 
the preceding night. 

He was still undecided as to the course he would pursue. 
The wisest thing for him to do probably, was to return to 
Rennes, and allow Gustave to get out of the scrape as best 
he could; but the other course had its attractions. To re- 
main in Paris, and acquire a competence there through the 
acquaintance and advice of this Gustave who knew how to 
make seventy thousand francs in twenty minutes, was cer- 
tainly a very tempting prospect to a secretary who was out 
of employment, especially as he said to himself that he 
might be able to make money honestly and without resort- 
ing to such trickery as his friend had used that morning. 

At all events, he could not leave the city without seeing 
the fair young girl who had made such a favorable impres- 
sion upon liim, and who now asked his aid and advice with 
such flattering frankness. He accordingly resolved to de- 


76 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


fer his final decision until after this interview, and also un- 
til after he had stated his case to Colonel Mornac. 

Upon the long terrace that overlooks the Place de la 
Concorde, there were only a few nurses and children, and 
two or three old • men who had come there to sun them- 
selves, for the spot is but little frequented except in sum- 
mer, though it commands a magnificent view of the Seine 
and of the Trocadero and the hills of Meudon in the dis- 
tance. 

Eobert hastened on, without pausing to admire it, how- 
ever, for he had but one thought, to discover the young girl 
of whom he as yet saw no sign, and he feared he had 
arrived too late. 

He caught sight of her at last, as he passed the corner of 
the Orangery. She was coming straight toward him, and 
he thought her even more charming than the evening be- 
fore. In the drawing-room on the Eue du Eocher he could 
judge only of her face, and one really judges of a wo maids 
charms only after one has seen her walking in broad day- 
light. Many women who are beautiful, seated, and seen by 
gas-light, lose greatly when subjected to this test, but Mile. 
Violette was a gainer by it. Her figure was perfect, her 
gait at once easy and graceful, and there was a perfect har- 
mony, not only of proportions, but of movements. 

She was not very tall, nor was she the fraction of an inch 
too short; and she was dressed very simply though taste- 
fully, for the neatly fitting black dress she wore enhanced 
the fairness of her skin, the brilliancy of her large dark 
eyes, and the rich gold of her tresses. 

She did not seem at all embarrassed as she extended a 
little daintily gloved hand to Eobert, and said: 

“ I thank you for coming. I felt sure that you would, I 
admit, and I am glad to see that I judged you correctly. ” 

“ And I, mademoiselle,” replied Eobert, smiling, “ am 
proud to have inspired sufficient confidence for you not to 
feel afraid to apply to me in this hour of trouble. ” 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


77 


i 6 What could I possibly have to fear? We have ex- 
changed only a few words, it is true, but I flatter myself 
that we understand each other. Besides, at the very begin- 
ning of our acquaintance, I made known the conditions 
upon which a continuation of it depended, and you accepted 

them. ” . 

“ It cost me quite a sacrifice to do it, but I can not deny 
that I promised not to make love to you.”’ 

“ That is all I ask.” 

“ But I did not promise not to love you.” 

“ Ah, well, love me with a frank and cordial affection, 

then. You will perhaps declare that such a feeling can 
exist only between persons of the same sex, hut I hope to 
convince you to the contrary.” 

“ I will try to oblige you, but I can not vouch for my 
succ^s.” 

“ I will undertake your conversion at my own risk, but 
I warn you that at the very first violation of the compact I 
shall instantly terminate our friendly relations, highly as I 
value them. ” 

“ You value them no more highly than I do, since T am 
glad to accept even the meager and unsatisfactory ones you 
•offer me. ” 

“ Is the assurance of mutual esteem and sincere sym- 
pathy in all the trials of life nothing? You may reply 
that our situations are not identical, and that all the ad- 
vantages are on my side, as you are rich and — ” 

“ Less rich than you suppose, mademoiselle,” inter- 
rupted Becherel. “ My financial condition is not all that 
could be desired, by any means, and I have just lost the 
situation upon which I am partially dependent for support. 

“ Is this really truer” exclaimed the young girl. “ And 
I have sent for you to tell you about my own troubles. 
Pray do not waste your time and thought upon me. I 
shall be able to get out of the difficulty somehow. Think 
of yourself, sir, and forget that I am in trouble.” 


78 CASH ON DELIVERY. 

This was said with such earnestness, and in a tone of 
such sincerity that it dispelled the suspicion that had arisen 
in Robert's mind. She had said: “ You are rich/' and he 
had fancied that this was the preamble to an appeal to his 
purse, but he now regretted the injustice he had done her, 
and replied, cheerfully: 

“ Oh, my troubles are as nothing in comparison with 
yours. My mother has some property, and I — " 

“ Your mother! oh, sir, if you are in trouble, go to her 
without delay. If I was so fortunate as to have a mother 
it is with her that I would take refuge in a time like this. " 

“ Yes, I know that you are an orphan. " 

“ Who told you so?" 

“Ah old friend of my father, whom I met at Madame 
de Malvoisines night before last." 

“ You mean Colonel Mornac, do you not?" 9 

“ Do you know him?" 

u I have frequently met him in Madame de Malvoisine's 
salon, and he has always been particularly kind to me." 

“ He spoke of you in the highest terms, and gave me to 
understand that there was some mystery connected with 
your past life. If I dared I would ask you — " 

“ To tell you my story? If I did you would be the only 
person to whom I have confided all — " 

“ I should certainly be deeply touched by such a proof 
of confidence on your part. " 

The girl hesitated. 

“ So be it," she said, after a long silence. te When you 
know my history I shall feel less unwillingness to ask the 
favor I desire of you, for my past will explain my present 
situation. I warn you that my story will be a long one, 
and if you wish to hear it we had better take a seat on that 
bench yonder. " 

“ Very well; I am listening, mademoiselle," remarked 
Robert, who needed no urging to induce him to seat him- 
seif beside the young girl. 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


79 


“ Then I will begin, but I warn you that I shall be 
obliged to go very far back, even to the days of my in- 
fancy.” 

“ Those days can hardly date back to the Dark Ages,” 
interrupted Robert, gayly. “ You are barely nineteen 
years of age I am sure.” 

“ Possibly twenty — possibly eighteen. I do not know 
my exact age, nor do I know the place of my birth, the 
name of my parents, or even my Christian name. ” 

“ Then that of Yiolette — ” 

“ Is only a surname that was given me for reasons I will 
explain presently, but pray do not interrupt me again. 
The first in my series of recollections is that of a very in- 
significant fact. I must have been about three years old 
when a woman, my nurse, probably, carried me out upon 
a sort of terrace surrounded with water.” 

“ A terrace surrounded with water! It must have been 
a pier or jetty. ” 

“ So people have told me since, and I think they are 
right. There was a crowd on this pier, and I was looking 
around me when suddenly an enormous dark object passed 
by me — a huge black mass that looked like a moving house. ’ 9 
“ It was a ship coming into port probably.” 

“ Yes, but into what port? That is something I never 
knew, and never shall know probably. ” 

“ Why not? I feel sure that I could find this town, and 
that you would recognize it if I took you there.” 

“ Perhaps so, but that day I was terribly frightened, and 
uttered such shrieks that my nurse was obliged to take me 
away. An incident like that makes an indelible impression 
upon a child’s mind, while other much more important 
events leave no trace upon it. I should perhaps recognize 
the place where I wept, but I should not know the town/ 
I have no recollection of it whatever. ” 

“ But you must remember your parents — at least your 
mother.” 


80 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


“ Very vaguely. I sometimes see, in fancy, the face of 
a lady who embraced me tenderly, and whose voice was as 
sweet as the sweetest music. I remember, too, that this 
lady — who must have been my mother — often repeated a 
word which I have never been able to recall, but which I 
think must have been my name.” 

“ Have you ever looked over a list of names to see if you 
could find it there?” 

“ Yes, but without success/’ 

“ Do you recollect nothing about the house in which you 
lived?” 

“It seems to me that this house was large, and that 
there was a garden with flowers and gravel walks connected 
with it, but that is all I can remember. ” 

“ If you were only three years old at the time this is not 
to be wondered at. But afterward, when your mind de- 
veloped and you became able to talk and listen and reason, 
you must have had a much clearer idea of your situation, 
and so retained a more distinct recollection of the persons 
and things that surrounded you.” 

“ One would suppose so, but for some time after the 
event I speak of my life seems to have been a perfect 
blank. Sometimes I am almost inclined to believe that I 
slept for two or three days, for I can recollect nothing more 
until I found myself in the orphan asylum at Bennes, your 
native town. 99 

“ That is strange. You were born in a seaport, and 
Bennes is an inland town. Some one must have taken you 
there . 9 9 

“ Yes; but how or why I am unable to say. I was 
picked up one. summer morning at the end of the Prome- 
nade du Tliabor, where I had spent the night asleep on a 
v bench. I could not speak distinctly, though I seemed to 
be at least four years old, and people at first supposed I 
was an idiot. There was no scrap of paper or clew to my 
identity about me, but I was well dressed, and I wore very 


CASH 0^ T DELIVERY. 


81 


fine linen, from which the mark had been removed, how- 
ever. From this fact it was generally supposed that my 
parents were wealthy, and that they had purposely aban- 
doned me.” 

“Was no attempt made to find these inhuman par- 
ents?" exclaimed Robert. 

“ Yes; but these efforts proving futile, I was placed in 
an orphan asylum, where I was taught first to talk, and 
afterward to read, write, sew and embroider. I was learn- 
ing the dress-maker’s trade, at which I was fast becoming 
an adept, when the directress of the institution discovered 
that I had a decided talent for music, and a very good 
voice, so I was made to sing in the church where we at- 
tended service. It soon became rumored that one of the 
children of the Home was a musical prodigy, so the Moth- 
er Superior of the Convent of the Visitation came to hear 
me sing. She expressed herself much pleased, and offered 
to take charge of my education. I eagerly availed myself 
of the opportunity thus afforded, and the happiest days of 
my life were spent with the sisterhood.” 

“ Why did you leave the convent?” 

“ I had no intention of leaving it, for I was leading a. 
tranquil, pleasant life there, untroubled by any anxiety in 
regard to the future, when one day, about three years ago, 
the mother superior asked me if I intended to take the veil 
when I became old enough. I had a profound respect and 
love for religion, but I did not feel that the life of a nun was 
really my vocation, and I frankly told her so. She praised my 
sincerity, but said that the sisters could not keep me any 
longer unless I intended to enter upon a religious life, and 
that I must choose a way of earning a livelihood. There 
was nothing I could do but become a governess, or gi ve 
lessons in music and singing, and as a very respectable lady 
who kept a boarding-school at Saint Maude had just writ- 
ten to the superior asking if there was among her pupils 
any one she could recommend to fill the position of assist- 


82 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


ant music teacher in the school, the situation was offered 
to me, and there was nothing for me to do but accept it, 
for I was obliged to leave the convent, and what would be- 
come of me, alone in the world, without relatives, influ- 
ential friends, or money? So I went to Saint Maude, where 
I was very graciously received by Madame Yalbert. She 
took a great fancy to me, and I was very much pleased 
with her, so I immediately entered upon my duties. I re- 
mained in the institution a year/* 

“ And left it to enter Madame de Malvoisine*s employ/* 
“ Yes, very unfortunately, and I will tell you how it hap- 
pened. I had become accustomed to my new life, which was 
much more gay than at the convent. Madame Valbert was 
very kind, and my pupils seemed to be exceedingly fond of 
me, and I must do them the justice to say that they never 
tried to humiliate me by alluding to my unfortunate past. ** 
“ Perhaps they were ignorant of it.** 

“ That is true. They were ignorant of it, though Ma- 
dame Yalbert was not. She kept my secret, and I ought 
to feel grateful to her for it, though if Madame de Mal- 
voisine had known the truth I should still be at Saint 
Maude. On certain days — her birthday for example — Ma- 
dame Yalbert was in the habit of giving entertainments 
and mu sic ales, to which not only the parents of the 
scholars, but former pupils, were invited. Herminia des 
Andrieux had left the school two years before I entered it, 
but she always attended these reunions, chaperoned by 
Madame de Malvoisine, and they never heard me sing with- 
out quite overpowering me with compliments. I did not 
fancy the countess very much, but I rather liked Herminia. 
She is really not bad at heart, her worst fault being her 
vanity; besides, I did not know her then as well as I have 
since learned to know her. ** 

So you unfortunately consented to enter the house on 
the Rue du Rocher?** 

Certainly, though had I known more of the company 


CASH OK DELIYEKY. 


83 


that frequented it, and foreseen my brutal dismissal, I 
should not have accepted Madame de Malvoisine*s offer, 
liberal as it was, for she offered me my board and a salary 
of four hundred francs a month. I was to take my meals 
at her house, and lodge in a room rented and furnished at 
her expense. She also gave Madame Valbert to under- 
stand that I stood a very good chance of finding a husband 
among the gentlemen who frequented her salon, and that 
lady strongly advised me not to refuse a situation that 
seemed in every way desirable. We both made a great 
mistake, however, in not ascertaining exactly what would 
be required of me. Madame de Malvoisine gave us to un- 
derstand that her daughter needed a companion to assist 
her in completing her musical education. I was fully 
competent to do this, as I had had excellent masters at 
Rennes, and had worked very hard. I did not suspect for 
an instant that the lady had engaged me with the expec- 
tation that I would make myself generally useful in her 
household/* 

“ What! that woman dared to make a servant of you!'* 

“ Oh, no; at least, not apparently. I was treated to all 
appearance as an equal, but if you only knew what was ex- 
pected of me! I had not a moment that I could call my 
own. I was obliged to be at the house by nine o*clock, 
and wait until it suited Herminia to come and take a sing- 
ing lesson. After breakfast, at which Madame de Mal- 
voisine seldom made her appearance, I was expected to re- 
main at the disposal of the ladies, and if they had no 
shopping or errands to be done they made me read to them 
— and such reading! All this was nothing, of course, and 
a poor girl like myself ought not to complain of the tasks 
imposed upon her. I was paid for performing them, but 
the evenings — ** 

“ How intolerable they must have been to you!** 

“ Yes; I suffered more than you can possibly imagine. 
At first I was hardly competent to judge of the characters 


84 r; CASH OX DELIVERY. 

of the persons who frequented Madame de Malvoisine’s 
drawing-room, for all I knew about life was from the little 
I had seen of it in a convent, and in a young ladies’ board- 
ing-school; but it seemed to me that there must be circles 
. in which one met better-bred men and less vapid women. 
One evening, a few words uttered by Monsieur de Mor- 
nac, who seemed to take a friendly interest in me, opened 
my eyes, and I perceived that I had made a great mistake. 
About the same time it happened, too, that some of the 
gentlemen began to pay me too much attention to please 
Madame de Malvoisine. I certainly did not encourage 
them, but I could not be forgiven for unintentionally at- 
tracting their notice. The reason of all this was apparent. 
Herminia was anxious to marry, and any gentlemen who 
do not pay court to her are not welcome in the countess’s 
drawing-room.” 

44 1 must be in dire disgrace then,” remarked Becherel, 
smiling. 

44 Less so than you suppose. Herminia is now and will 
be, very wealthy, so she is not looking for money, but for 
a name — and yours suits her. You please her too, in other 
respects, so you may expect to receive a pressing invitation 
to honor Madame de Malvoisine ’s house with your presence 
on any and all occnsions. ” 

44 She can invite me if she likes, but I shall never accept 
the invitation. ” 

44 You are at liberty to do as you please about that, of 
course, but let me finish my sad story. It was not until 
about a year ago that my position became absolutely in- 
tolerable. Madame Yalbert inquired about me from time 
to time, and the countess, who could find no just cause of 
complaint against me, dared not dismiss me without a 
cause, so she decided upon another way of getting rid of 
me. She tried to marry me to a gentleman of her ac- 
quaintance who was willing to take me without a dowry; 
but the gentleman had excited my intense aversion from 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


85 


\ ° f «•- 7- 

the very first, and I declined the honor he thought he con- 
ferred upon me. From that day I was the victim of Madame 
de Malvoisine's continual displeasure, and Herminia never 
attempted to take my part. I was now reduced to the 
humiliating position of a hireling. I continued to appear 
in the drawing-room, it is true; but I was forbidden to take 
any part in the conversation, and was expected to play 
almost constantly, sometimes until as late as three o'clock 
in the morning." 

“ I wonder that you endured this life as long as you 
did." 

I had resolved to make a change, and was only wait- 
ing for an opportunity. That has presented itself, and I 
leave Madame de Malvoisine without the slightest regret. 
There is but one thing that troubles me. That is a fear 
lest she should slander me to Madame Valbert, and I prize 
the good opinion of my former employer too highly to be 
willing to lose it. " 

“ And you are sure that Madame de Malvoisine did not 
know your story?" 

“ Perfectly sure. You doubt it, probably, because you 
wonder that the countess would take any young girl with- 
out a family name into her household. But I had 
one that was manufactured for me in Rennes. I for- 
got to tell 3 r ou that I was baptized at the orphan 
asylum. The directress was my godmother, and I was 
named Marie Thabor, from the walk on which I was found. 
Afterward I was called Violet te, from mv intense love for 
the flower of that name, and the surname clung to me. 
Madame de Malvoisine fancied it, and never called me by 
any other name. She never made any inquiries about my 
parents; she thinks they are dead, and it is more than 
probable that she is right. But the time has now 
come for me to tell you the favor I desire of you; but 
first I want to enlighten you in regard to the state 
of my finances. If I were in pecuniary distress I 


86 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


should not have applied to you. I am too proud to ask 
alms of any one. But I am not in need of money. My 
stay with Madame de Malvoisine was an advantage inas- 
much as it enabled me to save the greater part of my earn- 
ings. I have not spent more than one fourth of my salary 
during the past two years; besides, my room rent is paid 
for six months to come. She was certainly very generous 
to me in these matters, and the* injustice she has done me_ 
will never make me forget her benefits. I have enough to 
live on for at least eighteen months, and in that time X 
certainly ought to be able to better my condition — I cer- 
tainly intend to try. ” 

“ You will succeed, I am sure; but in Paris it is a very 
difficult matter for a young girl to earn an honest liveli- 
hood, and — ” 

“ You will perhaps think me very presumptuous, but I 

\ \ -j • ' *L* : y i 

have been told so often that I possess remarkable talents, 
both as a pianist and singer, that I have really come to be- 
lieve it, and I would like to put this talent to some practi- 
cal use. ” 

j ' V i 

“ In giving concerts? Your success would be certain, 
but X doubt if you would derive much pecuniary benefit 
from this success.” 

“ I, too, doubt it, so I am thinking of something else/' 

“ Of the stage, perhaps?” 

“ Yes, of the stage,” replied Violet te, promptly. 

Robert’s face clouded. 

I can see that you do not approve of the plan, and I 
foresee the objections you are going to make. You think 
that T shall be rushing to my ruin. I am aware that it is 
a dangerous career, but I realize the danger, and am not 
afraid to confront it if I can find a friend to sustain me, a 
friend who will encourage me and aid me with his advice. 

I am not wanting in energy, but X lack experience, and X 
must have that of a friend to rely upon. You have offered 
to be this friend — ” 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


87 


“ And I will keep that promise; but, alas! I do not 
know much more about the career upon which you wish to 
enter than you do. I see the dangers, as every one sees 
them, and as you yourself see them, but I do not know how 
1 can help you to avoid them . 9 y 

“ You fail to understand my meaning. I thought that 
through you I might be brought into communication with 
some theatrical manager. Colonel Mornac knows them 
all. He told me so, and I might have applied directly to 
him, but I did not dare. Do you blame me for thinking 
that you would perhaps consent to act as an intermediary 
between him and me?” 

“ No, mademoiselle,” replied Robert, rather coldly. 
“ I will do what you ask; I even hope that the colonel will 
consent to comply with your request, and I admit that you 
are almost sure to succeed in the career you have chosen. 
But what then! What will your life be? Do you know 
how actresses liver Do you think they are content with 
their salaries — w T hen they get any?” 

“ I shall be content with mine. You must recollect that 
I was able to live upon a fourth of what Madame de Mal- 
voisine paid me.” 

“ You forget that you were at no expense while you 
were with her; but if you go upon the stage the toilets that 
will be required of you will absorb all the money you earn 
and more. You will say, perhaps, that you will marry. 
Would you be willing to marry an actor?” 

“No.” 

“ Can you hope that any man of the world, no matter 
how ardently he might admire your talent, would ask your 
hand in marriage?” 

“ Still less,” replied Violette, sadly. 

Her eyes filled with tears, and this touched Robert, who 
already began to regret his sternness. 

44 Forgive me, mademoiselle,” he said, kindly, “ for thus 
destroying your illusions, but I think them exceedingly 


88 


GASH ON DELIVERY. 


dangerous, and I am too truly your friend to encourage 
you in them.” 

Violette wiped her eyes, and lifting her head and looking 
Robert full in the face, responded firmly: 

“I do not blame you in the least, but my mind is fully 
made up, and I have sufficient confidence in myself to feel 
sure that I shall be able to avoid the perils you point out to 
me. It is enough for me that you do not entirely desert 
me; that is, that you will not refuse me your counsel when 
I apply to you. I am alone in the world, and I have no 
one to depend upon but you. I ask you to see my work 
before you judge me. If you do not consider my conduct 
irreproachable, if you find me unworthy of your friendship 
and interest, I will not ask you to trouble yourself any 
further about me, but until that time comes do not refuse 
me your friendship and assistance. ” 

“ Both are already yours, mademoiselle,” replied Robert, 
quickly, “ and as you desire it, I will see Colonel Mornac 
and ask him to do all in his power to facilitate your en- 
trance upon the career you have chosen, and I do not doubt 
that he will comply with your request. Where can I inform 
you of his decision?” 

“ At No. 47 Rue de Constantinople. You can either 
write or call on me there to-morrow afternoon, at three 
o'clock, as .best suits your convenience. ” 

“ I will call if you have no objections, mademoiselle,” 
he replied, promptly, “and I will perhaps bring the colonel 
with me.” 

Then a new idea suddenly occurring to him, he asked, 
suddenly: 

“ Has the idea of trying to find your parents never 
occurred to you?” 

“ Never! I knew too well that I should not succeed.”* 

“ Are you willing that I should try?” 

“ You, my friend!” exclaimed the young girl. Then 
suddenly recollecting herself: “ Pardon me, sir,” she said. 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


83 


I do not; know that you will permit me to call you by 
that title. ” 1 v 

“ Do you still doubt it?” asked Robert, smiling. 
“ Well, to convince you that you have the right, must I 
call you Violette?” 

“ I should be very glad if you would.” 

That is, until I can call you by your own name — the 
name that your mother gave you and that you have forgot- 
ten.” V 

“ Mother! what a sweet word!” murmured the orphan. 
^ And I shall never see her to whom I should be so glad to 
apply it!” 

“ Who knows? She is still living probably-r-you are so 
young.” 

“ I would rather believe she was dead than think that 
.she abandoned me. ” 

4 4 There is nothing to prove that she did. You may have 
been stolen from her, and she may still be deploring yonr 
loss . 99 

“ If I could only believe that — 99 

“ What would you do?” 

“ I would search for her everywhere. But that is impos- 
sible. The mother superior of the convent at Rennes on 
describing when and where I was found, told me that my 
story was published in all the newspapers, and that a de- 
scription of me was sent to all the principal towns of 
France. If my mother had been living she would have 
come to claim me, that is unless she lost me intentionally/* 

“ But your father — have you no recollection of him?” 

“ Only a very vague one. It seems to me that at the 
time I was being carried about in my nurse’s arms that a 
man often scolded me in a loud voice that frightened me. ” 
You would recognize the voice, perhaps, if you heard 
it again . 99 

ct I doubt it very much. I can not recall the man’s face 
at all. ” ; ; 


90 


CASH OX DELIVERY. 


“But you would perhaps recognize the house in which 
you lived if it were shown to you.” 

“ I am afraid not. ” 

“ I am inclined to think that you must have lived in 
Havre. You have spoken of a pier extending out into the 
sea, and of a large ship coming into port. There is one 
answering to. that description at Havre, where the residents 
of that city go to see the foreign steamers come into 
port.” 

“ So I have been told; but I never visited that city. The 
only towns I know anything about are Rennes and Paris; 
and my acquaintance with these places is very limited. 
At the convent we went out but once a week, and then only 
for a short walk. At Saint Maude we never went further 
than the Bois de Vincennes. While I was at Madame de 
Malvoisiue's I did occasionally venture as far as the Park 
Monceau, and once or twice as far as the garden of the 
Tuileries.” 

“ But you must have attended the theater with the 
countess. ” 

“ ]S T o, I never set foot in a theater in my life.” 

“ And yet you wish to go upon the stage?” 

“ It is very audacious in me I know; but the untried has 
its charms. And I am sure that I shall not be troubled 
with stage fright — for the same reason that a conscript who 
is ignorant of the danger goes so bravely into battle. ” 

Robert was surprised to hear Violet te speak in this way; 
but it was no time to discourage her. 

“Will you go to the Opera or to the Opera Comique with 
me?” he asked. 

“ With the greatest pleasure,” replied the young girl, 
gratefully. “ To hear 4 Don Juan/ the 4 Huguenots/’ 

6 Carmen/ all the chefs cV oeuvres I know by heart, that is 
one of the dreams of my life!” 

“ A dream that can be easily realized. But as you seem 
to trust me, why will you not allow me to escort you to 


CASH 0^ DELIVER, Y. 


91 


Havre! I should like to see if you wojild recognize the 
jetty, and we could try to find the house with the garden.” 
“ I am not at all confident that I should recognize it; 
hut I will do as you think best, for I do trust you, and feel 
sure that you would never compel me to remind you of our 
compact. Now I must leave you, for I Want to see Madame 
Valberi to-day. If I do not explain the situation to her 
without delay Madame de Malvoisine may succeed in 
prejudicing her against me, so I am going out to Saint 
Maude in the omnibus, and shall return in the same way. 
Good-bye until to-morrow,” concluded Yiolette, rising and 
offering Robert a hand that he pressed warmly. 

“ What a strange girl!” Becherel said to himself as he 
stood watching her until she disappeared from sight. 
“ Heaven only knows how all this will end; but I can not 
make up my mind to desert her. Her plan of going on 
the stage is arrant folly, and I shall try to induce her to 
abandon it. But why shouldn’t I try to find her relatives? 
It would be a worthy and charitable act which I am sure 
my mother would heartily approve if I consulted her; and 
I shall consult her as soon as I am able to see my way a lit- 
tle more clearly, for I must first get out of the scrape 
Gustave has got me into.” 

While thus soliloquizing, Robert turned mechanically to 
leave the garden by the same path he had entered, and he 
' was walking slowly along with his head bowed upon his 
breast when he was suddenly aroused from his reverie by a 
voice that cried: 

“ Well, what are you doing here?” 

Robert glanced up and perceived Colonel Mornac. 

“ You came here to meet some fair lady, of course,” 
continued the old soldier. “ Oh, I don’t blame you. It’s 
only natural in one of your years. Even I — though I’m 
rather more than twenty-five — came here on a similar 
errand. My divinity just left me, however.” 

Ci So did mine,” replied Robert, smiling. 


92 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


“ Then I guessed correctly. Well, I’m not sorry to 
meet you. Come, let’s have a talk.” 

“ Willingly, colonel, for I have a host of things to say to 
you. In fact I was intending to come and breakfast with 
you to-morrow morning.” 

“ Good! I shall count upon seeing you punctually at 
twelve to-morrow. In the meantime come and take a turn 
in the Champs Ely sees with me. How have you been 
spending your time since night before last?” 

“ Very badly, colonel.” 

“ What have you been doing? Oh, I know. While 1 
was chatting with the fair widow the other evening I 
saw you at the card- table. You played and lost, I sup- 
pose?” 

“ If that were all — ” 

“ You certainly can’t mean — ” 

“ Monsieur Labitte has found out that I’ve been gam- 
bling and has dismissed me.” 

“■The deuce! this is a nice piece of news for your 
mother!” 

“I’ve written to her.” 

“ And a fine situation you are in — without employment 
and without money — for I doubt if you had enough to pay 
your indebtedness, for they play heavily at the house of our 
dear countess.” 

“ I borrowed the money.” 

“ Another act of folly. Of whom did you borrow it?” 

“ Of a usurer that was recommended to me.” 

“ Worse and worse! Why didn’t you come to me, you 
young idiot?” 

“ I didn’t dare. It was a matter of ten thousand 
francs.” 

“ Zounds! you have certainly begun well! Of course 
you’ll be obliged to mortgage your property to meet the 
note when it becomes due. You are following in your 
father’s footsteps, my boy; and you’ll probably do worse 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


93 

than he did, for he was fortunate enough to die in time. 
You’ll reduce your mother to want, unquestionably/' 

“ I’ll blow my brains out first.” 

“ You'll do that too without a doubt if you keep on. 
You’d better enlist at once. You had better be a soldier 
than a loafer.” 

“ I don’t intend to remain idle. There is nothing to 
prevent me from making a good deal of money if I choose. ” 
“ In what way, pray?” • 

“ At the Bourse. ” 

“ That is to say by speculating. Was it your friend 
Gustave that put this idea into your head?” 

“ I don’t see why I should conceal the fact that he asso- 
ciated me with him yesterday— without my knowledge— in 
a little speculation that he considered a sure thing, and 
that turned out very well, as my share of the profits 
amounts to about thirty-five thousand francs.” 

“ There’s a generous speculator for you! Gave you 
drawn your share of the profits yet?” 

“ Not yet. In fact I felt some hesitation about doing 
so, as he speculated for me without my knowledge or con- 
sent; and if he had lost I should not have been able to pay 
my share of the loss, at least not immediately. ” 

“ In that case I don’t see how you can hesitate. You 
must leave the money in the broker’s hands and tell Mr. 
Gustave not to make use of your name in any of his swin- 
dling operations hereafter.” 

“ Is that really your advice?” 

“ It certainly is. ” 

“ Very well; I shall follow it then; at least I shall draw 
the money and hand every penny of it over to Gustave.” 

“ Wlm will immediately try the same game over again. 
If you do that you are lost, and I shall not trouble myself 
any more about you. I can take an interest in a young- 
man who rashly squanders his patrimony, but not in a 
weak and unprincipled man who trifles with his honor. 


94 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


Listen, my boy. I was your fathers friend, and I will 
be yours upon certain conditions, the first of which is that 
you will have nothing more to do with this unscrupulous 
speculator. Let him get out of the scrape as best he can; 
and if he makes any fuss send him to me. IT1 see that he 
gives you no further trouble. ** 

“ I have no desire to see him again/'* said Becherel. 

“ So much the better. Now what are your plans for the 
future? ** 

“I have made none yet. ** 

“ Then you had better return to Rennes and become a 
provincial swell again. YouTl probably capture some 
heiress eventually. That is the best thing that could hap- 
pen to you, unquestionably; and as you stand a better 
chance of success in your native town than in Paris, I 
would advise you to return there without delay.** 

“ I would like to, but it is impossible. ** 

“ And why?** 

44 Circumstances forbid.” 

“ Explain, if you please. ** 

“ Mademoiselle Violette has been dismissed on my ac- 
count, and is now living alone in the lodgings she has been 
occupying for some time past at No. 47 Rue de Constanti- 
nople. ** 

“ And she asks your protection? She certainly has 
chosen a singular mentor.** 

“ Whether she has acted wisely or not, would you advise 
me to refuse her my aid?** 

“ That depends. What does she want of you?** 

She is anxious to go on the stage, and she asks me to 
aid her by interesting you in her behalf, as you can be of 
much greater service to her in this matter than I can.** 

“ I always thought she would come to that sooner or 
later; and I am satisfied that she will be a success, for she 
has a superb voice and musical talent of the highest 
order. * * 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


( J5 


“ Then you will not refuse to do what you can for her?** 
“ Why should I? With beauty like hers she is sure to 
turn out badly, so it had better be as an actress. The pro* 
fession gives a certain prestige to the fall. I am acquainted 
with the manager of a new theater who is seeking new at- 
tractions. I will introduce your protegee to him, and 
when he has heard her I feel sure that he will engage her 
on very liberal terms. The consequences of all this are no 
business of mine . 99 

“ She told me her story just now; and since I have heard 
it I am inclined to think that she will succeed . 99 

“ I know her story too, at least in part, but I have kept 
it to myself. The mistress of the boarding-school at Saint 
Maude told it to me; but Madame de Malvoisine doesn't 
know a word of it. This Yiolette, who is certainly rightly 
named, by the way, was found on a public promenade in 
Rennes; but she can not be the offspring of a laborer or 
mechanic, for she shows blood to her very finger-tips. I 
have always fancied that her parents were people of wealth 
who lost her on purpose.” 

44 1 haven't the slightest doubt of it.” 

“ Then why don’t you try to find these barbarous and 
probably wealthy parents, as you seem to take such an in- 
terest in the girl? It would certainly be an eminently 
meritorious work, and one that would suit a person of your 
romantic tastes. Then, too, if you should succeed in re- 
storing her to the bosom of her family, she would not be 
obliged to go on the stage. Her relatives probably would 
not receive her with open arms, but there might be a hand- 
some inheritance awaiting her now or in the future.” 

ce I am glad to hear you say this, for I had decided to 
enter upon this very work immediately. ” 

“ Is the girl able to give you any information that would 
assist you in your researches?” 

“ She says she has a vague recollection of some seaport 
town — Havre, perhaps — and also of the face and voice of a 


$6 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


lady, who must have been her mother, and also of a large 
house with a garden/* 

“ Have you seen her since the evening you spent on the 
Rue du Rocher?” 

“ She wrote to me asking me to meet her here to-day at 
two o’clock. We had a long talk, and she left me only a 
few moments ago to pay her former employer at Saint 
Maude a visit, for she fears that Madame de Malvoisine will 
make an effort to rob her of that lady’s esteem and friend- 
ship. * * 

“ She is right; the countess will do everything in her 
power to injure her; there’s no question about that. But 
I will see Madame Yalbert myself, and tell her what I know 
about the affair. Now let us sum up our conclusions, for 
I must be off. In the first place, it is agreed that you are 
going to renounce Satan and all his works — that is to say, 
the young man named Gustave and his operations at the 
Bourse. ” 

“ Willingly.” 

“ In the second place, I will attend to paying the usurer 
from whom you borrowed the money; and I shall do it at 
once, so you would greatly oblige me by informing him 
that you intend to take up the note two days from now. 
Thirdly and lastly, I will immediately interest myself in 
your fair protegee’s behalf, and endeavor to secure her an 
engagement at the Fantasies Lyriques. I will also assist 
you in your efforts to discover her missing relatives. I will 
even accompany you on your voyage of discovery to Havre 
and elsewhere, if you desire it. I must go now, so good- 
bye. Don’t forget that you are to breakfast with me at 
twelve to-morrow/’ 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


97 


CHAPTER IV. 

After his conversation with Colonel Mornac, Robert 
de Becherel returned home, greatly encouraged. 

The philosophical colonel was the very mentor he needed, 
an indulgent but resolute mentor, who excused his faults, 
even while he set his face firmly against any deviation from 
the path of honor. 

Considerably reassured, and well-nigh consoled for his 
recent misfortune, Robert finished the day quite cheerfully 
by dining at an excellent restaurant, after which he went 
to hear a popular singer who seemed to him greatly inferi- 
or to Violette both in talent and beauty. 

His enjoyment was slightly marred by a chance meeting. 
Galimas was enthroned in an orchestra-chair only a short 
distance from him , and Robert was not a little surprised to 
receive an almost obsequious bow, of which he took not the 
slightest notice, however. He tried to divine the cause of 
this extraordinary politeness, and finally concluded that 
Galimas saluted in him the fortunate speculator who had 
just gained a large sum of money. He even asked himself 
if Galimas had not had a hand in the matter, and this sus- 
picion only strengthened him in his resolve to have nothing 
more to do with Gustave, either in a social or business way. 
The evening ended without any other incident of impor- 
tance. Galimas left the hall before the close of the per- 
formance, and Robert, who remained until the conclusion 
of it, went quietly home and to bed, where he slept much 
better than on the preceding night, and woke greatly re- 
freshed, shortly after sunrise the next morning. 

The business of the day had been marked out for him in 
advance; at nine o’clock he was to pay a visit to Marcau- 
dier; at twelve o’clock, he was to breakfast with Colonel 

4 


98 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


Mornac, and at three o’clock he was to have an interview 
with Violette on the Rue de Constantinople. 

The visit to Marcaudier gave him very little uneasiness,, 
for what money-lender ever objected to receiving the 
amount of a note before it became due? 

“ One thousand francs for the use of ten thousand for 
three days is not bad, even for a scoundrel who loans 
money at the rate of forty per cent, a year/* Robert said 
to himself, as he walked up the Rue Rodier, more and 
more astonished that a wealthy cajritalist \fould be willing' 
to stay there, even temporarily, for the neighborhood 
seemed even more intolerable than on his first visit. 

The house of which Cash on Delivery was an inmate 
was even more dingy and dilapidated in appearance than 
those around it, and when Becherel reached the door, he. 
again shrunk from entering the dark passage leading to 
the staircase guarded by the repulsive-looking concierge 
known as Mother Rembriche. 

Glancing up at the house, he perceived that all the win- 
dows were protected by heavy wooden shutters that seemed 
to be rarely opened, and that needed only iron bars to give 
the house the appearance of a prison. 

Becherel also noticed that this strange dwelling, though 
it adjoined another house on one side, was separated from 
the nearest dwelling on the other by a dark and narrow 
alley that seemed to have no outlet at the further end. 

But Becherel had not come here to study the topography 
of this strange locality, so after a minute’s hesitation lie- 
boldly entered the house. The jiortress was not in her 
lodge, but on reaching the landing above she suddenly 
confronted him, broom in hand. 

“ Monsieur Marcaudier is not at home,” the old hag ex- 
claimed, in a voice husky with anger; “ so clear out, and 
be quick about it.” 

“ Monsieur Marcaudier is expecting me.” 

“ That’s a lie! and I tell you that you sha’n’t go up and 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


99 


play the spy, and listen at doors, as you did the other day. 
You got the best of me then; but you won’t again. No 
rascally detective will succeed in forcing liis way into this 
house while I’m here.” 

“ You deserve a sound thrashing, but I respect myself 
too much to administer it. I want to speak to Monsieur 
Marcaudier. Stand aside!” 

“ So you can go prowling about the house, listening at 
doors, as you did before. I’m not such a fool! I’ve no 
intention of losing my place through you. My master went 
out a few minutes ago; but even if he was at home, I 
wouldn’t let you go up, for he has forbidden it.” 

Robert hesitated. He was strongly tempted to push the 
old hag aside, and ring at the usurer’s door; but she was 
quite capable of clinging to his clothing and uttering 
-shrieks and yells that would be sure to call in the neigh- 
bors. Indeed, there was nothing to prevent her from 
rushing down into the street to summon assistance, and as 
he did not care to get into a difficulty with the police or 
brave the scandal a quarrel in the open air would be sure 
to create, he concluded that it would be better for him to 
restrain his anger and beat a retreat. 

“ Enough, you old fool! I am going,” he exclaimed; 
but you will hear from me again. I shall write to Mon- 
sieur Marcaudier, and tell him how you treat people who 
call to see him on business in his absence, and we’ll see 
what he says about the scandalous way in which you per- 
form your duties as portress.” 

44 Portress, indeed!” yelled the Rembriche, who wished 
to have the more honorable appellation of concierge applied 
to her. “ So you want to insult me now, you miserable 
fop! I’ll run you out of the house, I will!” 

And she brandished her broom with such a threatening 
air that Robert, concluding that discretion was the better 
part of vaior, rushed down-stairs four steps at a time. 

This ridiculous scene not only irritated Becherel, but con- 


100 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


fused him; but he had scarcely reached the street when he 
came to the conclusion that this woman would not have as- 
sumed the responsibiilty of thus insulting a visitor who had 
been previously admitted by Marcaudier himself, and that 
in refusing him admission she had only obeyed her mas- 
ter's orders. 

If this was indeed the case, why had Cash on Delivery re- 
solved to close his doors in the face of the debtor he had 
received so graciously only two days before? Could it be 
because he was determined to remain Robert de Becherers 
creditor, and because he guessed that Robert had come for 
the express purpose of notifying him that the note would 
be paid on the morrow? This conjecture seemed highly im- 
probable, however; that is, unless he had been informed of 
the large amount of money his young client had cleared by 
a fortunate speculation at the Bourse. And even if he 
had been apprised of the fact, what possible interest could 
he have in preventing the payment of the money? 

Robert could not imagine, but in mentally reviewing the 
particulars of his quarrel with Mother Rembriche, he recol- 
lected that she had accused him of being a detective, and 
this opprobrious epithet seemed to have been bestowed upon 
him in consequence of his exploration of the dark passage 
leading to an iron door on the third floor, and if this act 
had given such grave offense, it must certainly be because 
the usurer had some special reason for desiring that no 
visitor should be aware of the existence of the door in 
question. 

Hence, this door must conceal a mystery that Marcau- 
dier did not desire solved, and the explanation he had given 
of the cries and moans heard there, was only a series of 

falsehoods. There was no dentist's office, or sick woman 

* 

on the other side of that door, but some wretched prisoner 
detained there by force. 

Having come to this rather rash conclusion, Becherers 
imagination began to indulge in the most extravagant 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


ioi 


lights, and to see in Marcaudier one of those villains of 
mediaeval times, who kept some dethroned queen a prisoner 
in a lonely tower. 

From this to the resolve to deliver her was but a step to 
a person of Robert’s temperament, and this step was soon 
taken. 

Indeed, the idea took such possession of his mind that he 
forgot for the moment his intention of searching for Vio- 
lette’s parents. He had plenty of time before him in 
which to make his voyage of discovery to Havre, while, on 
the contrary, the best opportunity to solve the mystery of 
the Rue Rodier seemed to be the present moment. 

To accomplish this, he must find a way to gain an en- 
trance into the fortress in which the victim he hoped to 
succor was pining, and he now knew, by experience, that 
he would not succeed in entering it from the Rue Rodier. 
The Remb riche was there to effectually prevent that. 

Before opening the siege, he must know something more 
about the surroundings of the place, in order to decide 
upon the best point of attack, so he could hardly spend the 
rest of the morning to better advantage than in exploring 
these surroundings; so he softly retraced his steps, and 
after satisfying himself that the old portress was nowhere 
in sight, he slipped cautiously into the alley on the north 
side of the house. 

He soon discovered that this alley was obstructed at the 
further end by a wall, and bordered on the right by the side 
of a house in which there were no windows or openings of 
any kind. On the left side, and running parallel with this 
house which fronted upon the Rue Rodier, was a long build- 
ing that seemed to be an extension of Marcaudier’s house. 

Both these tall buildings were as gloomy in aspect as the 
exterior of a prison. Of whom could he ask information? 
He saw no one; besides, he did not feel inclined to question 
the first person he met. He resolved to explore this alley 
thoroughly, however, and his labor was not lost; for near 


102 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


the wall that obstructed it, he saw a strange building, al- 
most as high as a tower, and surmounted with a sort of 
glass cage that had probably served as a photographer's 
studio; but the artist must have long since abandoned it, 
for many of the panes of glass were broken, and the roof 
that covered this aerial conservatory was already in 
ruins. 

Robert, on approaching it, saw that the work of demolish- 
ing it had begun. The window-shutters and the door had 
already been removed. A huge pile of plaster filled the 
hall, and debris of all kinds strewed the allev in front of the 
house; but for some cause or other the workmen had paused 
in their work of demolition, thus leaving the dilapidated 
structure open to any one who wished to enter it. 

The staircase was still intact — a winding staircase that 
led up to the glass top of this donjon — a very fortunate 
thing for Becherel, who was in search of an observatory 
that would command a view of the neighboring houses. 

The ascent was not particularly easy, for the stairs trem- 
bled beneath his tread, and the dnst that flew from the 
walls almost blinded him, but when he reached the top he 
was amply repaid for his labor, for the towier upon whose 
summit he was standing was not only considerably taller 
than the surrounding dwellings, but overlooked a garden, or 
rather a walled inclosure, for it was entirety destitute of 
both turf and flowers — which extended back quite a distance 
to a street that ran parallel with the Rue Rodier. 

On his left, and in the immediate vicinity of the tower, 
this inclosure was separated by a tall and substantial iron 
fence from another garden — a genuine garden, this — a 
miniature park adorned with shrubbery and evergreens, 
through which one could discern a small house that must 
front upon the same street, a street whose name Robert 
did not know, however, as he had never explored this part 
of the city before. 

The house did not seem to be occupied, however; for no 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


103 


smoke emerged from the brick chimneys, but the well-kept 
turf and walks indicated that the dwelling, even though 
unoccupied, was not permanently abandoned. 

Robert de Becherel, not being in a position to solve the 
problem, concentrated his attention upon Marcaudier’s 
house, from which he was separated only by the alley. 

This house, though so narrow that there was room for 
only a single front window in each story, was so deep that 
it encroached considerably upon the smaller garden out of 
which its roof rose like a sort of promontory. This roof 
was covered with tiles, and in it were two sliding windows, 
which were standing open. 

Were there any windows in the side of the roof that over- 
looked the garden? Robert could not see from the place 
where he was standing, but he was able to satisfy himself 
upon one point, viz., that the extension of the usurer’s 
house adjoined no other house on the side next to this gar- 
den. 

It was not impossible, however, that this building and its 
long extension was divided into two separate dwellings by a 
party- wall, and that part of it belonged to the owner of the 
house and garden? but in that case, the owner, who must 
be a person of means, would not have rented to a dentist 
or midwife rooms that could be reached only by passing 
through his own house and garden, so Marcaudier must 
have told a falsehood, when he declared that the woman 
who was moaning and weeping on the other side of the 
iron door was not an inmate of his house and that he knew 
nothing about her. 

But how was his victim to be wrested from him: By 

denouncing him to the authorities? That would certainly 
be the easiest way, but would it be the most efficacious? 
The authorities always act with great prudence, or in other 
words very slowly, and they would not be likely to issue a 
search warrant upon the complaint of a young man who 
was a comparative stranger in Paris, and who could furnish 


104 


CASH OX DELIVERY. 


no proofs to substantiate liis accusations against a respecta- 
ble citizen. Any magistrate or commissioner of police 
would begin by summoning Marcaudier, and demanding an 
explanation; and Marcaudier being thus warned, would 
have time to remove his prisoner to some other place of 
confinement. 

Robert could succeed only by taking the matter into his 
own hands, and this was what he had resolved to do, 
though it would be no easy matter for him to gain access 
to the usurer’s captive. 

To go to the door of the house he saw at the other end 
of the garden and ask the permission of its occupants — if 
it had any — to examine this suspicious building more 
closely was almost as impracticable as to risk a leap over a 
space fifteen feet in width and nearly thirty in depth. 

It was more than likely that these people would take him 
for a fool, and laugh in his face, to say nothing of the fact 
that even if he should be allowed to enter the garden, he 
would probably be no wiser than he was now, for it was 
very doubtful if there was any way of gaining an entrance 
into the Marcaudier house oh that side. 

Robert was beginning to despair, when he suddenly dis- 
cerned upon a wall beyond and above the roof of Marcau- 
dier’s house the inscription: 4 4 Hotel de la Providence” 
in huge black letters. This sign must be that of a hotel 
on the Rue Rodier, below Marcaudier’s house, and this 
hotel had side windows which were only five or six feet 
above the windows in the roof of the extension. 

It would only be necessary for Robert to hire one of these 
desirably located rooms, install himself there, and when 
evening came, lower himself by a rope to reach this roof, 
to which there was no way of gaining access from the 
street. Once upon this roof, he would have no difficulty 
in reaching one of the windows and letting down a lantern 
that would enable him to see what was going on in this 
mysterious garret. 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


105 


This plan seemed so admirable that he resolved to carry 
it into execution at the earliest possible moment. 

A. 

He asked himself once more, and for the last time, how- 
ever, if he could possibly be mistaken in his conjectures; if 
this house did indeed serve as a prison for some unfortu- 
nate fellow-creature, or if he was about to risk his life for 
nothing? 

The idea of attempting to discover whether this back 
building was really occupied or not occurred to him, and 
gathering up a handful of plaster he threw it into the win- 
dow nearest him. 

Twice he failed, and the bits of plaster rolled down the 
roof into the gutter, but the third attempt proving more 
successful, Robert hoped that the prisoner, if there was 
one, would throw the plaster back again, to indicate his 
presence. He waited with this expectation, but in vain; 
and finally becoming discouraged, he concluded to leave 
this tower where there was very little chance of making any 
further discoveries. 

He had scarcely set foot in the alley, however, when 
something struck him on the shoulder, and bounding off 
rolled across the alley to the foot of the opposite wall. Of 
course when Becherel was hit by this object that seemed to 
have fallen from the skies, his first impulse was to glance 
upward, and seeing no one at the windows of the tower he 
had just quitted, he speedily concluded that the projectile 
must have come from the casement into which he had 
thrown the plaster a few moments before, for the other 
house had no windows on the side next the alley. 

The desired response had come at last in the form of 
some round object, about the size of a billiard ball, but not 
as large and heavy, and wrapped in a scrap of coarse paper. 
Robert sprung forward to pick it up, and was surprised to 
find it an apple of inferior size and quality. At first the 
discoverv disconcerted him not a little, but after some re- 
flection, he came to the conclusion that the prisoner, in her 


100 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


anxiety to give some signs of life to those without, had 
seized the first thing she could lay her hands upon; but 
with it she must have sent some word of explanation. 

Robert hastily unfolded the scrap of coarse paper in 
which the apple was enveloped — a scrap of paper which 
seemed to have been torn from some grocer’s day-book, 
and upon which Robert could at first discern only columns 
of figures. But on examining it more closely, he perceived 
some red letters that seemed to have been traced with the 
point of a pin or a nail. 

The next thing to be done was to decipher them, and 
this proved no easy matter. 

Becherel finally succeeded in deciphering the word, 
44 Help!"’ and several indistinct letters that seemed to 
compose the last syllable of another word. This syllable 
was either “ one, or onne,” but the first syllable had be- 
come so blurred that it was impossible to make it out. 

The discovery was one of great importance, neverthe- 
less, for the word, “ Help ” must have been written by the 
person who had just thrown this strange projectile, so she 
must be forcibly detained, and very unkindly treated, as 
she was reduced to writing with her own blood, and to 
using a pin or a nail as a substitute for a pen. 

Moreover, the ending of the illegible word suddenly re- 
minded Robert of the sounds he had heard through the iron 
door two days before — those plaintive appeals terminating 
in “ onne,” and repeated again and again. 

Putting the scrap of writing carefully in his pocket, 
Becherel left the alley, and started up the Rue Rodier with- 
out even glancing behind him. He had gone but a few , 
yards, however, when he saw Gustave approaching, and it 
was impossible to avoid a meeting, for his former comrade 
had seen him, and was coming straight toward him. I 

“ So much the better!” thought Robert. “ This is just 
as good an opportunity to settle the matter as I shall ever 
have, probably.” 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


107 


“ You have been to see Cash on Delivery, I suppose, ” 
cried Gustave. 

“ Yes, but I did not find him at home. ” 

“ That is because you came too late. Marcaudier is 
here only from nine to ten, and it is after eleven now.” 

“ His charming portress told me he had gone out, but 
he may be at home to you.” 

“ I have no intention of calling on him. I am on my 
way to a client who resides on the Eue Trudaine, and 
whom I must see before I go to breakfast. What did you 
want with our financier?” 

“ I wanted to notify him that I would be ready to pay 
the note I gave him to-morrow. ” 

“ But the note is not due.” 

“ That makes no difference. I don’t want my note to 
remain in this usurer's hands.” 

“ The deuce! you’ve become very proud, it seems to me, 
since our little speculation turned out so well. ” 

“ I shall not touch a cent of that money.” 

“ Don’t talk nonsense. Yesterday I took the trouble to 
explain that you could hardly do otherwise, and you 
promised me you would draw the money.” 

“ I have changed my mind.” 

“ All this is really too absurd. Besides, I really think 
you might be more considerate than to place me in such 
an embarrassing position. I want my share, and so does 
my partner — the gentleman who gave me the information 
that enabled me to make the money.” 

“ Then you must devise some way of getting it without 
my help. You certainly shall not touch a cent of mine, 
however. ” 

Gustave turned pale with anger, but he managed to con- 
trol himself, though he said, with a sneer: 

“ You seem to have been seized with another attack of 
morbid conscientiousness, but you'll get over it.” 

“ I think not,” replied Becherel, coldly. 


108 


CASH Ols DELIVERY. 


“ So you have decided to play me false! You ought to 
have warned me that you intended to let me get out of the 
scrape the best way I could.** 

“ On the contrary, it was your duty to have told me that 
you wanted the use of my name in carrying out your 
scheme. I should have refused it. But I said all this to 
you yesterday, and it is useless for me to repeat it. You 
may rest assured of one thing* however. I shall not touch 
one cent of the money. ** 

“ Very well. Then you have no objections to our 
acquaintance ending here, I suppose. ** 

“ If you desire it.** 

“ Look here, Robert, you certainly would not sever your 
relations with a friend without some cause. Confess that 
some one has been prejudicing you against me. It can not 
be Galimas, for you haven* t seen him since the evening you 
met him at Madame de Malvoisine*s. ** 

“ I am only obeying the dictates of my own con- 
science.** 

“ Oh, I know. It was Yiolette. She never liked me, 
though I ean*t imagine why, for I have always treated her 
with the greatest deference.** 

“ You would greatly oblige me by not dragging Made- 
moiselle Violette*s name into the conversation. ** 

So you have constituted yourself her champion. I 
congratulate you; she is certainly a very pretty girl. She*s 
a shrewd one, too, and I would advise you to be on your 
guard. ** 

“ I do not recognize your right to meddle with my 
affairs, and I forbid you to mention that young lady*s name 
again.** 

4 6 So that is the way you treat my advice ! Ah, well, you 
had better go your way, and 1*11 go mine. You have got 
me into a fine scrape, but I shall get out of it, all the 
same. Still, you needn*t be surprised if I pay you back 
for this shabby treatment some day. ** 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


109 


“ Do your worst !” cried Eobert, angrily. 

And he passed on without any attempt on the part of 
Gustave to detain him. The rupture was complete, and 
Becherel was mot sorry, for he had seen enough of this 
rather disreputable acquaintance, and he wished to return 
to the companionship of honorable men. 

Colonel Mornac must be expecting him at that very mo- 
ment, and as he was anxious to consult him before con- 
tinuing the investigation so fortunately begun, he resolved 
to repair to that gentleman's lodgings immediately. 

He was admitted by the coloners valet, who was neatly 
dressed in black, and he instantly perceived that his own 
cozy quarters in the Faubourg Poissonniere looked poor 
and mean in comparison with these luxurious apartments. 

The colonel was not only a good deal richer than his 
protege, but he had remarkably correct ideas of elegance 
and comfort, so his rooms were perfection. There was not 
only plenty of light and space, but each room was ad- 
mirably suited to the use for which it was intended, nor 
was there a single blunder in the furnishing, nor a color 
that did not harmonize in this interior planned by an in- 
telligent man of the world. There were ornaments enough, 
but not one too many. A few books and pictures, but all 
admirably chosen — more curiosities picked up on his travels 
than costly knickknacks bought at auctions at the risk of 
the purchaser — and M. de Mornac enjoyed and appreciated 
these spacious and luxurious quarters the more from the 
fact that he had spent at least twenty-five years of his life 
in a garrison or in camp. 

Eobert found him reclining on a sofa in a large dressing- 
room, which was a model of its kind, and which was lined 
with long mirrors that concealed wardrobes, each of which 
had its particular use, There was a wardrobe for dress 
suits, a wardrobe for morning costumes, a wardrobe for 
riding and hunting suits, and another for shoes and hats 
and sundry toilet articles for which there was not room on 


110 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


£he white marble shelves that encircled the huge bath-tub. 
“ Well, colonel, you certainly are very comfortably fixed 
here!” cried Robert, in astonishment. 

“Yes, tolerably,” replied Louis de Mornac, laughing. 
“It is disgraceful, I suppose, for an old soldier to sur- 
round himself with so much luxury, but I spent so much of 
my life in dingy stuffy little rooms, when I was young, 
that I certainly have a right to indemnify myself for jiast 
sufferings. But you mustn’t fancy that I am becoming 
completely spoiled. I ride horseback two hours every day, 
and when the time comes for leading another charge 
against the Prussians, you will find that I can wield a saber 
with the best of them. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem 
to be much hope of that just now, so we had better go to 
breakfast,” he added, leading his young guest into a din- 
ing-room, which was even more elegant and complete in its 
appointments than the dressing-room. 

“Sit down and help yourself,” the host said, cordially. 
“ The oysters are on the table, and there is some excellent 
sauterne at your elbow. I’ll ring for my valet when we 
want him. What have you been doing since yesterday? 
Have you seen your usurer?” 

“ I called on him this morning, but didn’t find him at 
home. ” 

“ And how about Mademoiselle Violetter” 

‘ ‘ I am to see her this afternoon at three o’clock. ” 

“ In short, the situation of your affairs has undergone no 
change. I have some news for you, however.” 

Becherel felt almost sure that the communication was in 
some way connected with Yiolette, and he was right. 

“ I have no intention of repeating my lecture of yester- 
day in regard to a certain young lady and your plans con- 
cerning her,” continued the colonel. “You are old 
enough to judge for yourself in such matters; but I prom- 
ised to assist you in the noble and painful task you have 
imposed upon yourself. I am a man of my word, so allovr 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


Ill 


me to say that on leaving you yesterday I went straight to 
-the manager of the Fantasies Lyriques.” 

“ And you spoke to him about Violette?” 

“ I didn’t talk of anything else; and I didn’t waste my 
breath either. I found him in a very amiable mood; in 
fact he is not only willing but anxious to oblige me in every 
possible way. You see, I loaned him one hundred thousand 
francs last year, and he would be put to great inconvenience 
if I should ask him for the money, for the last theatrical 
season was a very poor one, and that upon which we are 
just entering doesn’t seem likely to prove much better, so 
he is not only in great need of money but also of an artiste 
that will restore the prestige he seems to have lost. You 
will understand, too, that this artiste must not only be a 
marvel of grace and beauty but of talent and intelligence 
as well, when 1 tell you that she will have to learn a long 
and rather difficult role in three weeks. Of course I told 
him that I knew the very person he was looking for, so he 
consented to grant my paragon a hearing; and in order 
that there might be no time wasted he sent word to the 
author and composer of the operetta in question, and to the 
leader of the orchestra, that thev must come to the theater 
this morning to decide upon the merits of the would-be star. ” 
“ Good heavens! and Yiolette knows nothing of all this!” 
“ What do you take me for? I informed her yesterday. 
You told me her address, you recollect, so I wrote to her 
before I left Cochard’s office, and at this very moment your 
protegee is probably showing them what she can do; and if 
the verdict proves favorable she will be engaged immediate- 
ly and on very favorable terms.” 

“ Is it possible? It seems to me that I must be dream- 
ing! How delighted the poor girl must be. And it is to 
you that she owes this brilliant future!” 

“ Don’t boast too soon,, It is by no means certain that 
she will please her judges; and even if she succeeds in that 
;the public remains to be conquered, remember.” 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


11$ 

44 She will succeed in that, I am sure.** 

44 I’m strongly inclined to think so myself; but there is 
one danger, and a very serious one, it seems to me. If she 
succeeds don’t you think you are likely to be jealous?” 

44 What! jealous?” 

44 Yes. You love Yiolette now, and you are sure to love 
her still more fondly, for she is well worthy of your love, 
and like all young men in your condition you are sure to be 
in your seat close to the foot-lights every evening before the 
curtain rises. I can see you now in the first row of orches- 
tra chairs gazing fondly at your divinity and rapturously 
swallowing every note that she utters.” 

44 1 shall try not to appear too ridiculous,” said Robert, 

• gayly. 

44 1 presume so; but it will not do for Yiolette to have 
eyes for nobody but you. An actress belongs to the public 
and must divide her smiles equally among her listeners. 
How do you think you will feel when you see her casting 
sweet glances at some odious person such as Galimas, for 
example? He will be on hand, you may rest assured. He 
never misses a first night, I can tell you.” 

Robert colored and seemed unable to find any reply. 

44 Madame de Malvoisine, too, will be there,” continued 
the colonel, 44 and her ward as well, and they will not come 
to applaud the debutante , I can tell you. What will you do 
if they venture to sneer or even to laugh at her? Will you 
publicly constitute yourself Violet te’s protector against her 
enemies, as well as against all admirers who are distasteful 
to you?” 

44 Really, colonel, one would suppose that you were re- 
solved to discourage me — you who have just opened a 
theatrical career to this young girl, and who seemed to ap- 
prove her determination to earn a livelihood in this way. 
Why should you disapprove to-day what you approved yes- 
terday?” 

44 1 disapprove no more than I approve. You don’t 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


113 


understand me, my dear boy. I simply wish to warn you 
of the inevitable consequences of Mademoiselle Violet te’s 
entrance upon a theatrical career, and to show you that 
neither of you can long remain blind to the fact that 
your situation with reference to each other must be 
clearly defined. You are both deluding yourselves with 
some absurd nonsense about friendship and platonic love; 
and you cherish a vague hope of marrying her by and 
by after she finds her relatives; but I have convinced 
you, I hope, that this hope and the young lady’s adop- 
tion of a theatrical career are irreconcilable. The die 
is cast, as she has probably been engaged by Cochard by 
this time; and it is all for the best, perhaps, as she cer- 
tainly has a decided talent for this calling, and a prima- 
donna can easily dispense with ancestors and husband. 
What does it matter whether she has a name and relatives 
or not, provided she sings well?” 

“ So your conclusion, colonel?” 

“ My conclusion is that the trip to Havre, which I advo- 
cated so strongly at first, has become entirely useless; be- 
sides, Violette would not have time to take it with us. On 
and after to-morrow she will find herself obliged to be in 
constant attendance upon rehearsals, and without a minute 
she can call her own.” 

“ I might go down to Havre alone. ” 

“ What good would it do? You could not find the house 
in which her childhood was spent without her assistance. 
Besides, there is nothing to prove that this house was in 
Havre any more than in any other seaport town, so I advise 
you to abandon the scheme altogether. Now let us speak 
of another matter. You just told me that you did not find 
the usurer at home. That being the case, you had better 
write to him at once, for you must not remain under 
pecuniary obligations to such a scoundrel. Before you go, 
too, you must take the money to pay the note.” 

“ As you please, colonel; but I would much rather leave 


114 


CASH OX DELIVERY. 


it with you until I am sure that Marcaudier is ready to re- 
ceive it.” 

“ Why don’t you frankly admit that you are afraid of 
losing it, as you lost Monsieur Labitte’s ten thousand francs 
the other evening. I think ail the better of you for your 
prudence. I hope you have kept your word, and not 
touched the money made at the Bourse.” 

“ I just met Gustave and told him that I would abandon 
my share of the profits to him. We had quite a stormy 
conversation on the subject, and the interview ended in a 
complete rupture.” 

“I congratulate you; and now we have settled all the 
questions of the day we can breakfast in peace. It won’t 
take us long, as I’ve nothing but the classical omelette aux 
Tognons and the traditional cutlet to offer you.” 

“ That is enough and more than enough, colonel.” 

Then you haven’t the royal appetite of your father, 
who was one of the heartiest eaters in Brittany — and what 
a drinker he was! Ah! the young men of the present day 
are not to be compared with the men of my generation!” 

The breakfast ended without any other incident of im- 
portance. Bober t, who was overjoyed at Violette’s proba- 
ble triumph had very little to say, but the colonel’s ani- 
mated descriptions of Parisian life and of the ladies of his 
acquaintance amused his young guest immensely. 

Nearly two hours had been spent in relating his achieve- 
ments in love and war, for M. de Mornac, after lauding the 
charms of his divinities of days gone by, began to relate his 
campaigns in Africa and in the Army of the Bhine, when 
the valet entered to announce the arrival of a visitor; and 
Bobert, who had not forgotten that Violette was expecting 
a call from him, promptly availed himself of this oppor- 
tunity to take leave. 

“Good-bye, my boy,” said the colonel, pressing his 
young guest’s hand affectionately; “ go, but don’t let it be 
long before you come again. I know you now as well as if 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


115 
♦ 

I were your own father, and can see that your good quali- 
ties more than atone for your faults, though they are not 
trifling ones by any means. But you will be cured of 
them; and if you will listen to me and follow my advice, I 
feel sure that I shall succeed in making a man of you. ” 

So Robert left the house very proud of M. de Mornac’s 
confidence in him, but only partially reassured in regard to 
the probable consequences of his compact with Violette. 
He perceived all the disadvantages of it — the colonel had 
just pointed them out to him — and yet he did not once 
think of breaking his promise, for he felt that he loved the 
orphan too much to desert her. 

He regretted, too, that he had not previously enlisted his 
mother’s sympathies in Violette’s behalf, for Mme. de 
Becherel, who might then have approved her son’s gener- 
ous scheme, would now certainly refuse him in constituting 
himself the protector of an actress, no matter how worthy 
of interest Marie Thabor, the infant prodigy she had seen 
and heard at the convent at Rennes, might be. 

These thoughts engrossed his mind so completely that as 
he was walking up the Rue de la Pepiniere on his way to 
the Rue de Constantinople, he turned into the Rue du 
Rocher without even being aware of the fact; nor did he 
become conscious of this blunder on his part until he 
reached the house occupied by the Countess de Malvoisine* 
A victoria was standing at the door, and Mme. de Mal- 
voisine and Herminia were at that very moment descending 
the steps with the evident intention of entering it. 

Becherel hoped to escape their notice, but they had ex- 
cellent eyesight, and it was very evident to him. that they 
had seen him. 

“ I am certainly very unlucky,” he muttered, quickening 
his pace. “ They must have guessed that I am on my way 
to see Yiolette, and they will not hesitate to proclaim the 
fact to their friends, who will be sure to make all sorts of 
ill-natured comments. It doesn’t matter much, however. 


116 


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I am prepared lor almost anything on the part of these 
creatures . 99 

He did not turn to see them enter their carriage, but 
hastened on to the intersection of the Rue du Rocher and 
the Rue de Constantinople. Violette admitted him her- 
self, and by her beaming face it was very easy to see that 
she had good news to announce to him. 

Ushering him into a little parlor which was ver} T simply 
furnished but full of flowers, she said, joyfully: 

“ You will hardly believe what I am going to tell you, I 
am sure. I am engaged, and on the most liberal terms! 
It seems to me that I must be dreaming. I am to have 
five hundred francs a month to begin with, and the man- 
agement is to furnish my costumes.” 

“ Then the verdict was favorable?” 

“ How did you hear anything about it?” 

iC I just breakfasted with Monsieur de Mornac.” 

“ The colonel! Ah! how can I ever prove my grati- 
tude? But it is you I should thank, for had it not been for 
you he would not have recommended me to this manager.” 
Robert shared his protegee’s joy, but he manifested less 
enthusiasm. The colonel’s remarks upon the disadvantages 
of a theatrical career recurred to his mind, and he was a 
little surprised that Violette perceived only the sunny side 
of the new life that was opening before her. 

“ Yes,” she continued, “ they all congratulated me — the 
author, the composer, the leader of the orchestra, and the 
manager — I think he even embraced me. They tell me 
that I will play the part as no other person in Paris could 
play it, and that the very first performance will insure me 
the reputation of a star. And to tell you the truth, I was 
not so very much surprised, for I was really in splendid 
voice this morning. But how frightened I was when I found 
myself all alone upon the stage with four or five critics who 
did not seem to be very favorably disposed toward me. 
.Fortunately I have more self-control than I thought, for I 


CASH OX DELIVERY. 


11? 


managed to conquer my terror, and by the time I had sung 
my third piece it seemed to me that I had done nothing 
else all my life. ” 

“ Which shows that you are a born artiste,” replied 
Becherel. “You have certainly done well to follow your 
vocation . y y 

“ Are you really sincere in what you say?” 

“ Why do you doubt it?” 

“ Because you don't really seem to mean what you say. 
Bo you blame me for accepting this offer?” 

“ I have not the right.” 

“ You have the right, sir, for you are my best, in fact, 
my only friend; and if I had thought that I was displeasing 
you by presenting myself before this manager, I should cer- 
tainly have remained at home. ” 

“ Then you would have done very wrong,” replied Rob- 
ert, quickly, for he saw that there were tears in his com- 
panion's eyes. “ I am proud of your triumph, I assure 
you; and if I appear less delighted than I should, it is be- 
cause I had dreamed of a different future for you — one that 
was less brilliant, perhaps, but filled with more lasting 
happiness.” 

“ Yes, I know. You dreamed of restoring to me all I 
had lost — a name, relatives — perhaps a mother. But that 
was only a dream, alas! You would not succeed, and I 
should do very wrong to allow you to waste your time in 
such a hopeless undertaking. If I were able to give you 
any clew it would be very different; and yet I must admit 
that after I left you yesterday my recollection seemed to 
suddenly become clear upon one point, but only one. I 
know now the name by which I was called in my child- 
hood, and which I thought I had entirely forgotten. 
And this awakening of memory was due to the merest 
chance,” continued Yiolette. “As I was crossing the 
garden of the Tuileries, after leaving you, I encountered a 
party of children who were playing at Puss in the Corner 


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under the trees. I love children, so I paused a moment to 
watch them. There was one who never succeeded in get- 
ting to a tree, and the others were continually calling her 
names to tease her. ** 

“Well?” asked Robert, impatient to hear the rest. 

“ Ah, well! this name was the very name by which my 
mother used to call me. How had I happened to forget it r 
and why did it so suddenly recur to my mind! Doubtless,, 
because no one had ever uttered it in my hearing since my 
infancy, for it is an old-fashioned name, and very few per- 
sons bear it nowadays/* 

“ And this name is?** 

“ Simone. It is neither pretty nor musical, and — ** 

“Simone,** repeated Becherel, greatly surprised, for it 
must have been this same name that he had heard while 
listening at the iron-barred door to the despairing appeals 
of Marcaudier*s victim. 

The mournful sound of the last syllable still rang in his 
ears, and he was surprised now that he had not guessed the 
beginning of the word. It was, doubtless, too, this same 
word that he had just seen on the paper wrapped around the 
apple thrown from the attic. 

For an instant he was strongly tempted to draw this 
scrap of paper from his pocket and show it to Violette^ 
but this similarity of names might be a mere coincidence; 
hence it would not be advisable to allude to it until the 
mystery of the Rue du Rodier had been cleared up, and as 
Yiolette could be of no assistance to him in that task, it 
was much better that she should remain ignorant of his in- 
tentions. 

“ What is the matter?** inquired Violette, who noticed 
her companion *s evident perturbation. 

“Nothing,** stammered Robert. “It only seemed to 
me that I had heard the name before.** 

“ You have seen it in Alfred de Musset*s works, proba- 
bly. One of the prettiest poems he ever wrote is entitled 


CASH 01* DELIVERY. 


119 


* Simone . 9 You are surprised that I have read Musset’s 
works, perhaps? Madame Yalbert had them in her library, 
and I devoured them, though it was very wrong, I know. 
But I expiated that crime, and all the others I ever com- 
mitted } r esterday at Saint Maude. I told you, I think, 
that I intended to go and see Madame Yalbert after leav- 
ing you. Well, she received me very coolly, and when I 
tried to explain why I left Madame de Malvoisine, she 
checked me by declaring that she knew all; that I had done 
very wrong, and that she should never take any further in- 
terest in me. The countess had been there before me. 
Though what she could have said against me I can not 
imagine.” 

44 Some atrocious falsehood, of course. You might have 
expected it. Fortunately, you have no need of this Yal- 
bert woman’s patronage now. ” 

44 No; but I was very much attached to her, and it 
grieves me to lose her esteem. I returned home almost 
heart-broken, and nearly cried my eyes out; but fortu- 
nately Monsieur de Mornac’s letter came to console 
me.” 

44 And you have fully determined to adopt the stage as a 
profession?” 

44 Why should I abandon the idea? The mischief is done 
now. I have no friends left now.” 

44 You have at least one.” 

44 You? Yes, I know it. I hope, too, that Monsieur de 
Mornac will not desert me. Besides, I have the approval 
of my own conscience. I questioned that, after the rebuff 
I just told you about, and found that I had no cause to re- 
proach myself. If I had a mother I could tell her every 
act of my life, and lay my inmost heart bare before her 
without a blush.” 

4 4 A mother !” repeated Becherel, strangely moved. 4 4 Have 
you renounced all hope of seeing yours again?” 

44 Alas! yes. The Christian name I have succeeded in 


120 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


recalling is too slight a clew for me to feel any hope of find- 
ing the mother whom I have lost, and whom I should have 
loved so tenderly. It would be a miracle if I did.” 

“ But if this miracle should come to pass?” 

“ If my mother were restored to me, I should henceforth 
live only for her.” 

“ And you would not think with regret of the triumphs 
you might have won upon the stage, of the applause and 
the fame?” 

4 4 On the contrary, I would not change places with the 
greatest diva in the world. But what pleasure can you find 
in talking to me of a happiness that will never be realized? 
I shall need all my courage and self-possession in the life 
that is before me, and I must not allow myself to cherish 
any delusive hopes. ” 

“ You are right. It shall be my task to insure you the 
happiness I dream of for you, and my efforts may be 
crowned with success. ’ ’ 

66 Take care, my friend. If I listened to you, I might 
believe — •’ 7 

“ You may rest assured that I shall do all in my power 
to discover the secret of your birth. I can not say any more 
now. I must even beg you not to question me on the sub- 
ject. Forget that I entertain any hope of success, and 
think only of your debut . When are you to see the mana- 
ger of the Fantasies Lyriques again?” 

“To-morrow morning. I have my part, and I am to 
learn the words to-night, and repeat them to-morrow. The 
other performers know theirs already, and Monsieur Coch- 
ard intends that the first performance shall take place in 
about three weeks.” 

“ You will not have much time to bestow on me then,” 
said Bobert, sadly. 

“ Oh, I will find time to see you for a few minutes every 
day. That is if you wish it,Y she added, smiling, 

“ You can not doubt that, I think?” 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


121 


Then it is decided that you will call every day at five 
o’clock,, after rehearsal?” 

“ I shall be here at a quarter of five,, mademoiselle. ” 

“ Call me Yiolette. ” 

“ N o, Simone — on condition that you will call me Rob- 
ert. ” 

4 4 Simone: yes; that is my name. I am sure of it now. 
But I shall remain Yiolette to everybody except you. Now 
go, my friend; I must study my part.” 

Robert took the hand the young girl extended to him. 
She did not withdraw it when he imprinted a kiss upon it, 
and he went away firmly resolved to wage a relentless war 
upon Violette’s enemies, and to solve the mystery of the 
Rue du Rodier at any cost. 


CHAPTER V. 

Robert he Becherel was perfectly right in supposing 
that Mme. de Malvoisine and Mile. Herminia had seen him 
as they were descending the steps to enter their carriage. 

It was the hour for their dailv drive, and the weather 
being superb, they were not inclined to miss the opportu- 
nity to show themselves to all Paris in the Champs Elysees. 
Women who do not belong to the fashionable world are al- 
ways anxious to see all they can of it, and never renounce 
the hope of eventually securing an entrance into it. 

This was certainly the case with the countess of the Rue 
du Rocher, for it was the object of her life to gain a foot- 
hold in those aristocratic circles into which a person can 
not secure admission merely by proving that he is the pos- 
sessor of great wealth, whatever people may say to the con- 
trary. 

Richer persons than Mme. de Malvoisine have implored 
admission in vain, and her persistent efforts had not yet 
been rewarded. 


122 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


She had succeeded in securing a seat beside some of the 
leaders of fashion at the theater, and at charitable enter- 
tainments, but she had never been invited to set foot in 
any aristocratic drawing-room, and her own was frequented 
only by fast men and women of no social standing. 

This was not because her past was generally known, how- 
ever. Very few persons were as familiar with that lady’s 
antecedents as Colonel Mornae; but no one really believed 
that her title of countess was genuine, and not a few sus- 
pected that her pretended ward was her daughter. Still, 
no one doubted that Mile, des Andrieux was an excellent 
match, for inquiries made of Mine, de Malvoisine’s notary 

had satisfied suitors that the handsome Herminia would 

■ 

bring the husband of her choice a dowry of four hundred 
thousand francs, to say nothing of the magnificent fortune 
she was sure to inherit from a childless uncle. 

And yet, Herminia seemed likely to die an old maid, 
though she might have married well, in spite of the stain 
upon her birth, and the mysterious origin of her adopted 
mother’s fortune. 

It was all her own fault, however. She was dreaming of 
a marriage that would open a different world to her; be- 
sides, she wanted her husband to please her. Mme. de 
Malvoisine, tired of waiting, would willingly have abated 
something of her pretensions, but Herminia was obstinate, 
and that day, on account of dissensions which had been re- 
vived by a recent disappointment, they were both in exe- 
crable humor. 

Their handsome victoria, drawn by two superb blooded 
bays, and driven by a majestic coachman in rich livery, 
reached the main avenue of the Champs Elysees before its 
occupants had exchanged a dozen words. 

They attracted a good deal of attention, and they had 
already received a number of bows, but not one that flat- 
tered them, for the gentlemen who saluted them were 
much better known at the Bourse than at the Jockey Club; 


CASH OjST DELIVERY. 


123 


and the great ladies they met on this fashionable thorough- 
fare pretended not to see them. 

Such isolation in the midst of this fashionable crowd was 
not calculated to restore Herminia's serenity, and her sullen 
air indicated that this tete-a-tete drive with the countess 
was not at all to her taste. 

“ You look out of sorts,” remarked Mme. de Malvoisine. 

What are you thinking about?” 

“ You wouldn't understand if I told you/' retorted 
Mile, des Andrieux, dryly. 

“ Tell me, all the same. " 

“ I think I would like to change places with that flower- 
girl who is running after us in the hope of selling us a bou- 
quet.” 

“ Are you losing your senses?” 

“ No, I am in earnest. She is in rags, and probably 
will have no dinner to-night, but she is free to come and go 
as she pleases — and to love whom she pleases, and no one 
thinks of sneering at her.” 

“ And who sneers at you?” 

“ Everybody, and not at me alone, but at both of us. 
Oh! don't feign astonishment. You are perfectly well 
aware of the fact. The Marquise de Cliarmiere's landau 
just passed us/' 

“ Well, what of it?” 

“ The other day, at the fair for the benefit of the Found- 
ling Asylum, of which she was a patroness, you paid her 
two hundred francs for a pin-cushion, and she was lavish 
with her thanks. Ah, well! just now she turned her head, 
so as not to be obliged to recognize us as we passed.” 

“ She did not see us.” 

“ Yes, she did; but she did not want to bow to us in 
public. And look, here comes Claudine Eissler and Coralie 
de Barancos; see them laugh in our faces as they pass. 
Even such notorious women as these make merry at our 
expense. ' ' 


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“ What is the matter with you?'*' asked her companion* 
evidently much annoyed. “ Why are you so out of sorts 
to-day?” 

“ Because I am thoroughly tired of the life I lead,” re- 
plied Herminia, promptty. 

“ I can't see that you have any reason to complain. I al- 
low you to do as you like; in fact, your uncle often scolds 
me for letting you have your own way in everything; and 
if you are still unmarried, you have only yourself to blame. 
You are too hard to please.” 

“ You think so; I think I am not. You have never in- 
troduced me to any one but parvmues. I want a gentleman 
for a husband, and I am going to have one.” 

“ There was one at the house night before last, but you 
failed to make an impression. However, he is not worth 
regretting, a petty country squire that hasn't even a title to 
offer you. If you married him, you wouldn't even be a 
baroness. ” 

“ It's an easy matter to secure a title in Paris; besides, 
I don't care whether he has a title or not. I like him as he 

is. ” 

“ It remains to be seen if he likes you. I am inclined 
to doubt it. He had eyes only for Yiolette, and he must 
have seen her since I dismissed her, for I am satisfied that 
he was on his way to her house when we saw him just now. '' 

“ That is quite likely, but I intend to prevent him from 
going there again.” 

“ You seem to be completely infatuated with the fellow.'' 

“ Yes,” replied Mile, des Andrieux, bluntly, “ and I 
am determined that he shall marry me.” 

“ I don't see how you are going to compel him to do 

it. ” 

“ You will see, however.” 

‘ ‘ I think it very strange that you haven't informed me 1 
of this decision before. I hope you will not carry things 
too far before consulting your uncle.” 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


125 


“ My uncle! You know very well that he allows me to 
have my own way In everything. When will he return?” 

“ As soon as he finishes the business that called him to 
Marseilles. In two or three weeks, probably. 

“ I shall not wait for his return before ridding Monsieur 
de Beeherel of that simpering Violette. Mareaudier will 
help me to do it. ” 

“ Mareaudier!” repeated the countess, in profound as- 
tonishment.^ 

“ Exactly. He is a man of infinite resources, and he 
will easily find a way to put an end to that affected creat- 
ure’s plotting and planning.” 

“ What a strange idea! Mareaudier is devoted to us — 
to your uncle, especially — and he is a very shrewd fellow, 
but matters of this kind are rather out of his line.” 

“ I have my 7 reasons for consulting him, and at once. It 
is to his house that we are going now.” 

“What !” 

“ Yes, before getting into the carriage I told the coach- 
man to drive to the Rue Mozart. It is four o’clock, and 
Mareaudier must have returned from the Bourse by this 
time, so we shall be sure to find him at home.” 

“ What are you going to say to him?” 

“ You will hear. I shall say what I have to say in your 
presence.” 

Mme. de Malvoisine had long since discovered that it 
was useless to oppose Herminia, so she said no more. If 
Robert de Beeherel could have heard this edifying conver- 
sation between the mother and daughter, he would not only 
have formed a more correct idea of the moral character of 
the ladies of the Rue du Rocher, but would also have 
realized more fully the dangers to which he had exposed 
himself by espousing Yiolette’s cause. 

It was to be a merciless war, a war to the death, that 
Herminia intended to wage upon her rival and indirectly 
upon him, and this unscrupulous woman was sure to find a 


126 


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powerful auxiliary in the person of Cash on Delivery, who 
was the willing tool of the pretended uncle whose millions 
would some day descend to Herminia. 

Eobert would not have recoiled, most assuredly, but he 
would at least have been better prepared to enter upon 
this unequal struggle; but he was far from realizing the 
dangers that threatened poor Violette, for at that very mo- 
ment he was congratulating himself upon having concluded 
a treaty of friendship with her. 

Colonel de Mornac, who was less interested in the senti- 
mental side of the question than his young friend, would 
certainly have studied with great curiosity the effects of the 
training this young girl had received. 

Eeared by a worthy bourgeoise, Herminia would doubt- 
less have tunled out like other young ladies of that highly 
respectable class. She would not have dreamed of social 
distinction, and would probably have married some honest 
merchant, and made him a tolerably good wife. 

But she had been taught from her earliest infancy to 
worship money. Her first gift had been gold coins, and 
though her supposed uncle lavished costly gifts upon her, 
he had never taken any pains to elevate her character or 
improve her mind, so it was not strange that the young 
girl soon became utterly spoiled. Accustomed from in- 
fancy to pay no attention to the advice of any’ one, her 
early years had been spent in tyrannizing over all around 
her — her mother as well as the servants. She entered thh 
boarding-school at Saint Maude with a keen appreciation 
of her own beauty and her parent’s wealth, but she had 
been an inmate of the institution only a short time before 
she began to understand her situation more clearly. She 
perceived that money was not everything, and that her 
birth closed against her doors that were open to much less 
liberally dowered girls, so she resolved to escape from her 
false position by means of a marriage that would insure 
her an entree into the world of fashion, for she utterly 


CASH OX DELIVERY. 


12 ? 


failed to understand that such a marriage would lower the 
social standing of the man who made it without improving 
that of the woman. 

Consequently nothing would satisfy Herminia but a 
young man of ancient and honorable lineage, and suitors of 
this class did not frequent the drawing-room on the Rue du 
Rocher. Robert de Becherel had come there one evening by 
the merest chance; his name pleased her, and she thought 
him charming, so she instantly resolved that he should 
marry her; but the idea of first making sure of Robertas 
consent never once occurred to her, for she did not suppose 
for a moment that any comparatively poor young man 
would refuse a large fortune, especially when it was accom- 
panied with the hand of a handsome young lady. 

The only obstacle, therefore, in her opinion, was Vio- 
lette, and she felt sure of her ability to get her out of the 
way with the aid of the crafty Marcaudier, who was always 
ready to oblige her, provided it suited his interest to 
do so. 

Even if M. de Becherel had taken a fancy to the 
musician, he would soon get over it. A few slanderous re- 
ports would probably be all that was needed to alienate him 
from her; but if these failed she would have to resort to 
stronger measures. She would reduce her rival to poverty 
by preventing her from earning a living, and then send to 
her some rich gentleman who would have no difficulty in 
enticing her from the path of virtue by promising her a 
comfortable maintenance. Robert, deserted for the sake 
of this wealthy capitalist, would become thoroughly dis- 
gusted with his former divinity, and it would only be neces- 
sary to get him embarrassed financially to make him ready 
and willing to many an heiress. 

It would be a compulsory marriage, it is true; but that 
mattered little to Herminia, provided she would have a 
right to call herself Mme. de Becherel. She would win 
her husband’s love afterward — after the wedding. 


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CASH CW DELIVERY. 


Animated by these laudable intentions, and resolved to 
shrink from nothing to accomjDlish her object, she could 
not apply to a better person than Marcaudier. The count- 
ess had no voice in the matter, but it was necessary to con- 
sult the pretended uncle, and Marcaudier was the only per- 
son who had any influence over the person who held 
Herminia’s financial destin}^ in his hands. 

In the meantime, the two spirited bays had traversed the 
Avenue Eylau, and were already descending the rather 
steep Rue Mozart. 

“ I knew we should find him at home/* said Herminia, 
at last breaking a silence that was beginning to alarm Mme. 
de Malvoisme. “ Don't you see him there on the balcony, 
smoking a cigar?" 

“ Yes, but he is not alone." 

“No. It is Julia Panne tier of the Fantasies Lyriques, 
who is with him. She has been living with him for more 
than a year. He will send her away, however. He is un- 
der too many obligations to uncle to refuse to see us." 

“ Your uncle is also under obligations to him," mut- 
tered Mme. de Malvoisine. 

Herminia did not contradict this assertion. The victoria 
had just paused in front of the house, and Marcaudier was 
already on hand to assist his guests to alight. 

“How do you do?" said Herminia, unceremoniously. 
“ It was I who persuaded mamma to come to see you, for 
I wished to consult you on a very important matter." 

“ I was expecting you," replied the usurer, smiling. 
“ Won't you come in?" 

Their host ushered them into a drawing-room that 
opened upon the balcony and that commanded a view of 
the upper part of the Rue Mozart. 

“ What lucky wind blew you here, my dear madame?" 
he asked. 

This question was addressed to Mme. de Malvoisine, who 
growled in reply: 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


129 


vc Herminia will tell you. I know nothing at all about 
It.” 

“ I came to consult you upon a purely personal mat- 
ter,” said Mile, des Andrieux, “and to ask your assist- 
ance. ” 

“ 1 shall be only too happy to serve you. What do you 
wish to consult me about?” 

“ About my marriage.” 

“ I thought as much. Gustave Pi ton told me all about 
it. I have seen the young man. ’ * 

“ Monsieur de Becherel?” 

“ Yes. He has done me the honor to borrow ten thou- 
sand francs of me. ” 

“ What do you think of him?" 

“ I think he would suit you admirably, but he doesn't 
seem inclined to marry at present.” 

“ I want to induce him to change his mind.” 

“ That will not be a very easy matter, I think, but we 
can try. The moment is propitious, certainly. In debt to 
me, and dismissed by Labitte, whose private secretary he 
was, he probably hasn’t a penny at his disposal.” 

“ And yet you say that he would suit my daughter!” ex- 
claimed the countess, indignantly. “We are not particu- 
lar about a large fortune, it is true, but we don’t want a 
pauper in the family.” 

“ Pardon me, this gentleman is not a pauper by any 
means. I have made inquiries about him, and he has a 
very nice estate in Brittany, and belongs to one of the 
oldest and most highly respected families in his native 
province. His wife would be received anywhere — even in 
the Faubourg Saint Germain.” 

“ That is all very fine,” replied Mme. de Malvoisine, 
angrily, “ but do you dare to assert that Herminia’ s uncle 
would approve this match:” 

“ I feel sure that Leon would not oppose it, particularly 
if he knew that Monsieur de Becherel pleased his niece,” 

5 


130 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


replied Marcaudier. “ Wliat are you laughing at, made- 
moiselle?^ 

“ I always laugh when I hear you call my uncle Leon/" 
answered Herminia. “ It is all very well for children and 
young people to call each other by their Christian names, 
but it certainly does sound absurd in grown people. ** 

“ It is all a matter of habit, mademoiselle/* replied 
Marcaudier. “ Your uncle and I were together at an age 
and under circumstances when people are not likely to 
stand on ceremony, so he continues to call me Pierre, and 
I to call him Leon precisely as in the days when I was mate 
on board his brig, the ‘ Vulture.* ** 

“ Have you heard from him?** inquired the countess. 

“ I received a letter from him this morning. He is well,, 
and will return in about a fortnight. He spoke of made- 
moiselle in his letter, and expressed, a wish to see her mar- 
ried this year. He says he is growing old, and has not time 
to wait.** 

“ So my resolve to marry Monsieur de Becherel is an 
eminently sensible one/ * remarked Herminia. 

“ I think so, and I will do my best to bring the gentle- 
man to your feet. I have a plan. Will you give me ccvrt& 
Handle to execute it?** 

“ Willingly.** 

“ Then be kind enough to listen to me. In the first 
place, this young man is in my power to some extent, at. 
least, by reason of a note that he has given to me, and 
that I can present for payment to-morrow, if I choose, for 
he signed it before it was filled out. He would not be able 
to pay it, for he supposes that it will not become due for 
three months, and it would take him some time to raise 
the money by means of a mortgage. I could give him a 
good deal of trouble, if I chose, you see, but I don’t know 
that we should gain anything by it.** 

“ On the contrary, it would only incense him against 
me, if he ever found out that you were a friend of mine.*" 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


131 


' c He knows that already, for I spoke to him about you 
when he called to see me on the Rue Rodier.'' 

“ What; did he say about me?” 

“ Nothing. He didn't seem inclined to commit himself 
in any way, and he appeared to hold marriage in holy 
horror. Yes, I think it will be best for me to abandon all 
idea of demanding the immediate payment of the note. 
He would find the money to pay me. His mother would 
give it to him; besides, he has other friends who would 
accommodate him — among them, one with whom we shall 

have to contend some time or other — a certain Colonel 

/ 

. Mornac.” 

“ polonel Mornac!” exclaimed the countess. “ He is a 
very honorable gentleman, and I consider that he honors 
my salon whenever he condescends to enter it.” 

“ I do not deny that, madame, but we shall have a dan- 
gerous enemy in him, nevertheless. I have already dis- 
covered that he is giving Monsieur de Becherel bad advice. 
Piton, whom I met this morning, tells me that the old 
soldier has urged his protege to break off all connection 
with him, Piton — who is an old comrade by the way — and 
Becherel has done it. That doesn't matter, however. 
The great trouble is that the young man doesn't want to 
marry you, because he is in love with somebody else. '' 

“ You have discovered that!" cried Mile, des Andrieux. 
“ Marcandier, you are certainly a remarkably clever 
man.” 

4 4 No; I am a man who merely takes the trouble to rea- 
son, and to act upon the conclusion of his reasoning. The 
unsophisticated youth fell in love with your musician at 
first sight; so the first thing to be done is to break off a 
dangerous intimacy that has scarcely begun.'' 

I have turned the hussy out of my house,” said Mme. 
de Malvoisine. 

“ And you made a great mistake in doing so, in my opin- 
ion. By keeping her you would have been able to hold her 


132 


CASH OST DELIVERY. 


in check, while out of your house she is free from your 
surveillance.” 

“ Not so free as you suppose. It was I who rented and 
furnished the rooms she occupies on the Kue de Constanti- 
nople. 1 even paid the rent for a year in advance.” 

“ This unfortunate generosity on your part does not give 
you the right to exercise any control over the young lady* 
however.” 

“ Possibly not; but if I want the owner to give Made- 
moiselle Violet te notice to leave I shall only have to say a 
word to the concierge . ' 3 

“ That would do no good, however. She could easily 
find other lodgings where Monsieur de Becherel would con- 
tinue to visit her. There is only one way to alienate him 
from her, and that is to bring forward a rival — not a youth- 
ful rival, whose attentions would only increase Becherel's 
passion, but a protector who is able and willing to lavish 
every luxury upon the fair pianist e . 3 3 

“ The same idea has occurred to Hie,” said Mile, deg 
Andrieux, smiling. 

“Indeed! Well, we have this generous protector ready 
to our hand, and he will play his part to perfection, for he 
is really very much in love with the girl.*” 

“ You mean Galimas, I suppose?” 

“ Yes, he was talking about her to-day at the Bourse* 
where, by the way, he made at least three times as much 
as he lost yesterday, so he won't hesitate to spend several 
thousand louis to gratify his fancy; and however conscien- 
tious your former companion maybe, I don't think she will 
turn a deaf ear to a man who is willing to place her at the 
head of an establishment costing one hundred thousand 
francs, though Violette sets a high value on herself, and 
she is right, for she is certainly very charming; besides, she 
will be worth more than twice as much a fortnight 
hence. ” 

“ What do you mean? Has she come into a fortune or 


CASH OK DELIVEKY. 


133 


won the capital prize in some lottery?” asked Herminia,. 
who was always thinking of money. 

“ No; hut she is about to go on the stage; and as act- 
resses are all the rage nowadays, Galimas will be willing to 
commit any folly for her sake when he sees her admired 
and applauded by the crowd.”' 

“ You certainly are not trying to make me believe that 
she has secured an engagement since day before yesterday 

“ It is a fact, nevertheless.” 

“ Where?” 

“At the Fantasies Lyriques.” 

“ As a ballet-girl, then?” 

“ As the leading singer. She has a superb voice, you 
know.” 

Herminia bit her lip, and Mme. de Malvoisine, who 
seemed no better pleased than her daughter, said, dry- 

“ She sings tolerably well; but where did the fool that 
engaged her hear her sing?” 

“ It's quite a long story. Colonel Mornac interested 
himself in the young lady’s behalf at the request of Mon- 
sieur de Becherel, and as the manager of the Fantasies 
Lyriques — a man by the name of Cochard — would have 
been obliged to go into bankruptcy last year if the colonel 
hadn’t loaned him a hundred thousand francs, it is need- 
less to say that Monsieur de Mornac had very little diffi- 
culty in securing a hearing for any protegee of his.” 

“ And the idiot expects Violetfce to retrieve the fortunes 
of his theater?” said Herminia, scornfully. 

“ He feels so confident of it that she is going to make 
her debut in two weeks. He is staking his last card upon 
this debut . He told me so himself this very morning when 
he called to pay some money that he owed me. He forgot 
that he has another account to settle with me, for he will 
have to pay dearly some day or other for having offended 
me by — ” 


134 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


“ By dismissing your fair friend Julia Pannetier,** inter- 
rupted Mile, des Andrieux, with a merry laugh. She was 
delighted to learn that Marcaudier had a personal grievance 
against the manager who had just engaged Violette, for she 
felt sure that she would now have a zealous auxiliary, as 
they would both be equally interested in preventing Violette 
from succeeding in her new career. 

“It is useless to try and conceal anything from you, 
mademoiselle/* replied Cash on Delivery, smiling. “I 
have known J ulia Pannetier a long time. I am deeply at- 
tached to her; and she has been set aside in order to make 
room for Mademoiselle Violette. ** 

“How shameful!** exclaimed Herminia. “For a true 
artiste like Julia to be compelled to give place to a mere 
novice is an outrage; and I hope that Violette will fail as 
she deserves. ** 

“ I shall do my best to insure her failure, I assure you; 
and so .will Julia. Everybody at the theater sides with Julia 
* — the leader of the orchestra, the composer — everybody ex- 
cept Cochard. We have already made our preparations for 
the first performance. I shall have nearly a hundred men 
stationed in different parts of the house to hiss the debu- 
&cinte\ and I have made a bargain with the leader of the 
claque by which it is agreed that his men are to applaud in 
the wrong places so as to annoy the other spectators. I 
will spend ten thousand francs, if necessary, to prevent the 
piece from being played through to the end. Julia knows 
nil the ins and outs much better than I do, and she can tell 
you that Mademoiselle Violette is sure to be hissed off 
the stage, even if she possessed the talent of a Patti. A 
manager can impose a prima-donna on the public, but not 
upon other artistes , and all connected with the Fantasies 
will be leagued together against her, if only to please Julia, 
their former companion. ** 

“I do not wonder!** cried Mile, des Andrieux, “for 
Julia is charming. She sings to perfection, and dresses in 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


135 


such exquisite taste that I never see her without longing to 
ask the address of her modiste . Why do you not introduce 
her to us?” 

“Because — it would not be projier, mademoiselle/' re- 
plied Cash on Delivery, gravely. 

“ Herminia!'' exclaimed the countess, with an air of 
outraged propriety highly ludicrous under the circum- 
stances. 

“ And why not?” demanded Mile, des Andrieux, not in 
the least abashed. “A dramatic artiste is certainly as 
good as the divorced women and grass widows that frequent 
your salon.” 

Then turning to Marcaudier, she added: 

“ This is an excellent opportunity. Julia is here. She 
was with you a moment ago on the balcony. Won't you 
call her?” 

Marcaudier, though he agreed with Herminia perfectly,, 
hesitated, for fear of offending the countess; but the ques- 
tion was settled by Julia herself, who having taken refuge 
in the boudoir adjoining the drawing-room, had of course 
heard every word of the conversation. 

Timidity was not one of her failings, and thinking she* 
might venture to show herself she pulled aside the portiere, 
and putting her head into the room, she cried, archly: 

“ May I come in?'' 

Herminia ran to her, took her by the hand and led her 
to Mme. de Malvoisine, who was choking with anger. 

This fourth-rate diva was really a very pretty girl — a 
brunette with a clear, colorless complexion, red lips, and 
large black eyes. She had the confident air and cold smile- 
of a woman who is in the habit of exhibiting herself in 
public; and it was without the slightest sign of embarrass- 
ment that she said to Herminia: 

“ I thank you, mademoiselle, for your good opinion of 
me, and for all the harm you wish my rival. Pierre was 
just telling me that Cochard had engaged her to fill my 


136 


CASH (XST DELIVERY. 


•yoles. She will not hold them long.. Between us we will 
;Soon drive her off the stage/ ’ 

Mme. de Malvoisine rose with an air of offended dignity, 
and stepped out upon the balcony through the open glass 
door. Marcaudier hastened after her in the hope of ap- 
peasing her wrath, and Julia was left alone with Uncle 
Leonas heiress. 

“ You must excuse her, she is full of prejudices/* said 
Herminia, referring to her mother. “ I haven’t any my- 
self, and will gladly be your friend if you will let me . 99 

66 1 should be delighted. I like you already almost as 
well as if we had played together; besides, we are united in 
our hatred of that horrid Yiolette. You shall never regret 
.having taken me into your confidence, I promise you that; 
and as I have had more experience than you have I may be 
able to give you some useful advice occasionally.” 

“ Even if it is only on the subject of dress,” laughed 
Herminia. 

“ You look very nice as you are. My style of dress 
wouldn’t suit you. It is too loud. I am obliged to make 
myself conspicuous to please Marcaudier. He wants every- 
body to turn round and look at me when I drive in the Bois 
in his coupe. I serve as a sort of advertisement of his 
wealth, you see. Men are such fools!” 

“ All men are not. ” 

“ Fortunately! I have never seen Monsieur de Becherel, 
but I am sure that he is charming. In the first place he is 
young, and I hate old men.” 

“ Marcaudier isn’t old.” 

“ Oh, no; and, of course I was very fortunate to meet 
him at the beginning of my career. It is so hard to make 
a start in life when one ia poor. You who are in a position 
to choose, should marry only the man you love.” 

“ That is what I am determined to do; but that creature 
is trying her best to take him from me. ” 

She will not succeed. After the downfall we are pre* 


CASH OH DELIVEKY. 


i.o 

paring for her he *11 never want to set eyes on her 
again.” 

“ But will she fail? She has a superb voice, there’s no< 
denying it. ” 

“ I don’t care how much talent a debutante has, she 
can’t contend successfully with actors and actresses who are 
leagued together to insure her defeat. We have only one 
person to fear — Colonel Mornac — and as I live I do believe 
that is he coming down the street now. ” 

It was indeed Colonel Mornac who was riding down the 
Bue Mozart on a chestnut horse which he had just pur- 
chased, and which certainly did honor to his knowledge of 
horseflesh. 

Bobert had left the colonel entertaining a visitor on the 
Bue de la Boetie; but that gentleman had subsequently 
taken advantage of the superb weather to try his new pur- 
chase, and after riding in the Bois for an hour or two, was 
now returning to Paris by way of Auteuil. 

So it was the merest chance that had brought him to the 
Bue Mozart where he little expected to see Mme. de Mai- 
voisine, but he had excellent eyesight, and he recognized 
her while he was still some distance from her, talking on 
the balcony in front of a handsome private house with a 
gentleman he did not know. 

He was not particularly surprised to see the lady so far 
from the Bue du Bocher, but being in rather a lively humor 
he decided to allow himself the mischievous pleasure of in- 
terviewing her in order to find out what she was doing there. 
Mme. de Mai voisine had not the same reasons for disliking 
M. de Mornac that her daughter had. On the contrary, 
she thought him a charming man, and greatly admired his 
lofty stature and martial air, so she did not leave the ter- 
race on his approach, but on the contrary leaned smilingly 
over the balustrade to greet him. 

Marcaudier knew the colonel, from having seen him at 
the theater, and was not sorry to have an opportunity to 


.<5 CASH ON DELIVERY. 

talk with Violette 's defender and find out what kind of a 
person the debutante's enemies would have to contend with. 

“ Good-afternoon, m3 7 dear madame,” began the colonel. 

I did not expect to have the pleasure of meeting you to- 
day. ' 9 

“ I came here to call on an old friend,” said the count- 
css, glancing at Marcaudier, who bowed without speaking. 

But why have you so unkindly deserted us ?” she con- 
tinued, reproachfully. “ Madame de Carantoir was deplor- 
ing your absence again last evening.” 

Mine, de Carantoir was the widow into whose good graces 
the colonel was trying to ingratiate himself. 

Ah, madame, one can not always go where one would 
like to go,” the gentleman replied, gallantly. “I was 
obliged to spend last evening with some stupid old fossils 
who nearly bored me to death. I would greatly have pre- 
ferred to be surrounded b} 7 fresh young faces — ” 

“ Like that of Mademoiselle Violette.” 

“ Like that of Mademoiselle des Andrieux,” continued 
the colonel, without noticing the interruption. “ How is 
she? I haven't seen her for three days, and I am really 
pining for a look at her . 99 

“ Indeed, sir?” said a voice that came from the open 
window, and almost at the same instant, the cameo-like 
profile and massive shoulders of the fair Her mini a appeared 
behind her mother. 

“ I had no idea that you took such a deep interest in 
me,” continued that imposing young lady, ironically; 

but as you have been kind enough to inquire about me, 
I can, in my turn, take the liberty of asking what has be- 
come of the young lady who bears the name of a flower. 
You know who I mean . 99 

iC I haven't the slightest idea,” replied the colonel, with 
unblushing effrontery. 

“ Ask Monsieur de Becherel. He hasn't forgotten la 
belle Violette. Ah! } T ou recollect now!” 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


139 


“ Perfectly, mademoiselle. But I haven't met the per- 
son of whom you speak since the last evening I spent at 
Madame de Malvoisine's. " 

“ But you can hardly be ignorant that she is about to- 
make her debut at the Fantasies Lyriques, as it was you 
who recommended her to the manager." 

“ So he engaged her this morning? How delighted I am 
to hear it! I wish her all the success she deserves!" 

“ And I hope she will fail ignominiously, if only to pun- 
ish her for usurping the place of one who is not only a tal- 
ented artiste , but also my friend." 

“ I was not aware that you had any friends on the 
boards," replied M. de Mornac, calmly. 

“Yes; I have one. Come out, my dear Julia, and al- 
low me to present to you the patron and protector of the 
creature who has usurped your place." 

Mile. Pannetier, who had up to this time kept herself in 
the background, now came forward, with a smile upon her 
lips, very much as she would have responded to an encore , 
and began to stare at the colonel with rare impudence. 

Mme. de Malvoisine, crimson with anger and shame,, 
could hardly refrain from boxing the ears of the daughter 
who seemed to take so much pleasure in compromising her- 
self; and Marcaudier was fairly boiling with rage at Her- 
minina's imprudence in thus proclaiming herself Violette's 
enemy, for she might just as well have warned M. de Mor- 
nac then and there that they were plotting to ruin his pro- 
tegee's future. 

The only absurdity left for this simpleton to commit was 
to involve him in the quarrel, and this she immediately 
proceeded to do. 

“ Come, defend your friend!" she exclaimed, turning to 
the usurer. “ Tell Monsieur de Mornac that you are 
deeply attached to Julia, and that you will not permit that 
fool of a manager to sacrifice her to an insignificant mu- 
sic-teacher. ' 5 


140 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


This unexpected announcement completed the colonel's 
enlightenment, and he began to bestow more attention 
upon Marcaudier, who did not seem at all inclined to obey 
the injunctions of Mile, des Andrieux, however. 

Herminia once started, there was no such thing as stop- 
ping her. 

44 Tell him, too, ” she continued, 44 that Monsieur de 
Becherel is in your debt, and that you can give him no end 
of trouble if you choose, and that you will not deprive 
yourself of this satisfaction if our dear J ulia is compelled 
to give place to a mere street-singer. It shall be peace or 
war, as he pleases. " 

Marcaudier devoutly wished that the earth would open 
and swallow him, but he did not open his lips, though he 
was resolved to give the imprudent girl a piece of his mind 
as soon as the colonel left; and the colonel did not compel 
him to wait long, for he now knew all that he wanted to 
know in regard to their projects. 

* 4 I must not keep you out in the open air too long, my 
dear madame," he remarked to the countess. 44 1 fear 
you will take cold, so you must allow me to take leave of 
you . 9 ' 

And without waiting for any reply, he trotted briskly 
away with the intention of immediately warning Robert of 
the conspiracy that had been formed against his fair friend. 

On reaching the door of his young friend's apartments 
on the Boulevard Poissonniere, he was admitted by Rob- 
ert's groom, who recognized him from having seen him at 
Mme. de Becherel's house at Rennes, and immediately 
ushered him into the smoking-room, where he found Rob- 
ert engaged in reading a letter. 

44 You here, colonel!" exclaimed Robert. 44 1 am very 
glad to see you." 

44 You haven't that appearance, for you are certainly 
weeping. What! at your age! You are certainly nothing 
more nor less than a big baby!" 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


141 


“ No, colonel, I assure you. It is this letter. Read it, 
colonel.” 

“ I will, and I am going to read it aloud.” 

And M. de Mornac began in a firm voice: 

“ Robert, my beloved, my only son, my heart is filled 
with profound grief by the knowledge of the grievous fault 
you have committed. I thank you, however, for not hav- 
ing concealed it from me, for it would have been still 
harder to learn the cruel truth through Monsieur Labitte 
alone. Your letter, fortunately, reached me at the same 
time that his did. 

“I will not reproach you. You have, I am sure, suf- 
fered enough already. Do not grieve over the loss of the 
money. I will procure the amount, and send it to you in 
a few days. 

“ The money is nothing; honor is everything, and I trust 
you have not lost that. But I entreat you to spare me fur- 
ther grief and anxiety. I have suffered so much in the 
past that I beseech you to take pity on me in my old age, 
and as you are not proof against the temptations of Paris- 
ian life, return to me. You will be welcomed like the 
prodigal son in the Scriptures. 

“We will live together, and not be separated from each 
other again until the day God summons me to Him, and 
you will not think with regret of the empty pleasures and 
frivolities of the wicked city that lured my son from me. I 
know that at your age, I can hardly exjiect you to be con- 
tent with the quiet life I lead in Rennes; but I know a 
charming young girl who loves you, and who is ready to 
marry you. She will make you happy; she will bear 
you beautiful children that we will rear together, and 
bring you a magnificent fortune that will enable you to 
gratify the expensive tastes you inherited from your poor 
father. 

“ Write me that you consent, and come as soon as pos- 


142 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


sible. Your betrothed is awaiting you. You can guess; 
to whom I refer. ** 

“ Can you?” asked M. de Mornac. 

“Yes/* stammered Robert. “She refers to a young' 
lady I met last summer. ** 

“But you are in love with Mademoiselle Violet te. We 
will speak of that presently, however. Let me finish the 
letter first. 

“ If you refuse, if you turn a deaf ear to my entreaties* 
I warn you, my dear child, that I shall not hesitate. I 
shall come to Paris. There is certainly a place for me in 
the little flat I took so much pleasure in furnishing for you. 
You will give me a cordial welcome, will you not? and 
let me pet and spoil you as in the days of your childhood? 
But you will not compel me to make such a complete 
change in all my habits, I am sure. I await your reply 
with confidence. I understand, of course, that you can 
not leave on the instant. Take your time, my son, but 
three weeks will surely be enough, will it not? Yes? ah, 
well! I shall expect you before the end of March. You will 
come with the spring-time. 

“ From the mother ivho loves you more than ever.” 

r 

“ And more than you deserve/* said the colonel, pass- 
ing his hand over his eyes that had filled with tears in spite 
of him. 

“ Ah! here is a postscript! 

“ Would you believe it? poor Jeanette, who has served 
me for thirty years, and who was present at your birth, 
has offered me all her savings. Seeing me weep, she felt 
sure that you must have got into some trouble, and written 
to me for money. Everybody here is devoted to you/* 


CASH OX DELIVERY. 


143 


* 4 Well, what do you say to all this?” demanded M. de 
Mornac. 44 Shall I send your groom out for a carriage to 
take you to, the railway station?” 

44 My mother doesn’t ask me to leave Paris immediately. ” 
44 I see you going! You will be sorry to cause her pain, 
but you will not be able to make up your mind to desert 
Violette.” 

44 I shall certainly wait until Violette has made her debut 
at the theater at which she has just been engaged. ” 

44 I was sure of it, and I shall make no attempt to alter 
your decision. I shall only be wasting my eloquence, and 
I don’t like to preach; but I bring you some news that 
may modify your plans. Just now, as I was riding down 
the Rue Mozart in Passy, I saw Madame de Malvoisine on 
the balcony of a very pretty private house, talking with a 
gentleman I did not know, but who seemed to know me.” 

4 4 The Rue Mozart? Why, it is there that the money- 
lender, to whom Gustave sent me, lives.” 

44 What kind of a looking man is this usurer?” 

44 Rather tall and stoutly built. He wears a full beard, 
and is from forty to forty-five years of age. ” 

14 That is the very man I saw. Ah, well! my dear fel- 
low, he is conspiring with the countess and her daughter to 
have Violette hissed.” 

44 1 thought he was in league with them. But why is he 
so bitter against poor Violette?” 

44 Because she has usurped the jdace 0 f an actress in 
whom he is deeply interested — a certain Julia Panne tier, 
whose friendship the proud Herminia does not disdain. ” 

44 1 have heard of her before. She lives on the Rue 
Rougemont, not far from here, and doesn’t bear a very en- 
viable reputation in the neighborhood. ” 

44 Well, this is the charming quartet with which Vio- 
lette will have to contend when she makes her debut .” 
Robert was about to protest that he was not afraid of 
these people when M. de Mornac, springing up and rush- 


144 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


ing to the door at the further end of the smoking-room^ 
exclaimed : 

“ What are you doing here? You are playing the spy 
on us, I believe.” 

As he spoke, he seized Jean the groom by the collar and 
dragged him into the presence of his astonished master. 

“ No, no; I was not listening, sir,” protested the youth. 
“ I swear I was not! When you seized me, I was just go- 
ing to shake the dust out of the portieres.” 

“ Where did you pick up this fellow?” asked the colonel^ 
turning to Robert. 

“ Year Rennes. He was born upon one of our estates,, 
and I never had any cause to complain of him before. ” 

Jean hung his head, but he did not appear much fright- 
ened. He was not more than eighteen years old, though 
he had the appearance of being over twenty, for he was 
a true Breton, with broad shoulders, a large round head, an 
intelligent face, and large brown eyes that usually met 
yours unflinchingly. 

“ Very well; get out of here, and don’t let me catch you 
prowling around again,” said the colonel, pushing hint 
into the adjoining room, and closing the door upon him. 

“ I can’t rid myself of the impression that he was listen- 
ing to us, ” he remarked to Robert. “ If I were in your 
place, I wouldn’t keep him.” 

“ He is devotedly attached to me, I assure you, colonel. 
I have noticed, though, that he has been going out rather 
too much for the past two or three months, and I shouldn’t 
be surprised if he had made a conquest of some shop-girl 
in the neighborhood. ” 

“ Well, to return to the subject of which we were speak- 
ing a few moments ago; you seem to think yourself capa- 
ble of defending Violet te from the attacks of this usurer 
and these unscrupulous women, but I intend to second you 
in your efforts, and as a man who has been warned is equal 
to any two, I shall immediately see Cochard, and take 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


145 


measures to prevent any disorder on the night of the first 
performance. Now, what are you going to say to your 
mother?” 

“ I shall tell her that she will see me before the end of 
March.” 

“ And you will promise me to take no decisive step with- 
out your mother's knowledge and consent?” 

“ I give you my word of honor that I will not.” 

“ Then you can count upon me. Come and see me as 
soon and as often as you can, and do try not to get into 
any more scrapes. If you are tempted to do so, reread 
the letter of the sainted mother who lives only for you. It 
will make you a better man, and save you from being 
again led astray. I will now leave you to your reflections,, 
for I must go and see Cochard to warn him of the dastardly 
trick those people intend to play upon him. I am almost 
as deeply interested in the debutante 9 s success as you are, 
for if she fails. Cochard will go into bankruptcy, and I 
shall never see my hundred thousand francs again.” 

With this farewell, the colonel went out to remount the 
horse that was waiting for him in the court-yard, and 
Becherel made no attempt to detain him. 


CHAPTER VI. 

Robert de Becherel was grateful to the colonel for 
having warned him of the plot against Violette, but he was 
not sorry to see him take his departure, for he wanted to 
be alone. 

After his visit to the Rue de Constantinople, Robert had 
made up his mind to explore the mysterious building on 
the Rue Rodier that very evening — the building in which a 
woman who might be Violette's missing mother, was pining. 

A single word had given him this new clew. Violette 
had suddenly recollected that her real name was Simone, 
and this was the word the prisoner had written with her 


146 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


blood on the paper she had thrown into the street through 
one of the openings in the roof of her prison. This was 
enough, and more than enough, to make Robert resolve to 
reach her if such a thing were possible. 

He had not said a word to Violette about his plans, how- 
ever, for he feared he would arouse hopes that might not 
be realized, but he had hastened home, where he found a 
letter from his mother awaiting him — a letter that had only 
strengthened him in his resolution, for, though he under- 
stood perfectly well that his mother would never consent 
to his marriage with an actress, he flattered himself that 
she would not refuse a poor but worthy orphan. 

If Violette should succeed in finding her mother, she 
would cheerfully abandon all idea of going on the stage. 
She had just assured him of this, in accents that dispelled 
all doubt of her sincerity, and now he was convinced of 
this, the dangers she would incur at her debut at the Fan- 
tasies Lyriques troubled him much less, for he had reason 
to hope that she would not be subjected to this ordeal. 

The possibility of treachery on the part of his groom 
very naturally troubled Robert a little under the circum- 
stances. He had trusted the boy implicitly, and any be- 
trayal of his confidence would be specially unfortunate at 
a time when he was more than ever in need of a faithful 
servant, if only to assist him in his preparations for the 
exploring expedition he had resolved to undertake that 
very night. 

And, as a person always finds it easy to believe what he 
wishes to believe, Robert finally came to the conclusion 
that M. de Mornac must have been mistaken, especially as 
Jean had been selected by Mme. de Becherel from among 
many other applicants for the position, because she knew 
he was honest and industrious; so Robert confined himself 
to scolding him, and the youth defended himself so stoutly 
that his employer, convinced of his innocence, concluded 
to give him his instructions for the evening. 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


147 


Bobert had carefully considered the means to be em- 
ployed in accomplishing the object, and his plans* were 
completed even to the minutest details. 

The first thing to be done was to procure two knotted 
ropes with a hook at each end — one rope very long, and 
the other much shorter; a dark-lantern, a small chisel, and 
a strong pair of pincers; and M. de Becherel could hardly 
purchase these articles himself, while Jean could perform 
the commissions without the slightest impropriety or incon- 
venience, as a servant often needs tools that a gentleman 
would hardly be expected to use. 

Jean was naturally cautious, and even taciturn, like all 
Bretons — when they have not been drinking — and he re- 
ceived the order to purchase these articles without making 
any comment or evincing the slightest surprise. 

“ I am going out now,” Bobert said to him; “ but I 
want you to put all these articles in a small trunk, with a 
change of linen, and a suit of clothes. I shall return here 
about nine o'clock, and you must then procure a carriage 
for me, and put my trunk on it. I intend to leave the city 
this evening by the Northern Bailway, but I shall prob- 
ably return some time to-morrow.” 

“ Monsieur may be sure that everything will be in readi- 
ness," said Jean, laconically. 

“ Very well; go and make your purchases, and try not 
to forget anything.” 

The groom started out on his errand without replying, 
and Bobert immediately sat down to write to his mother. 
His letter was affectionate, for he really adored his fond 
parent; but he said nothing definite about his plans. He 
casually remarked that there were some matters that might 
detain him in Paris for awhile, and gave her to understand 
that he did not despair of finding a situation quite as de- 
sirable as that he had lost. All these matters, however, 
would be decided between now and the latter part of the 
month, and his mother would soon see him again, in any 


148 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


case. It is needless to say, however, that he carefully 
avoided any allusion to his possible marriage with the heir- 
ess. 

The letter concluded, he hastened out, jumped into the 
first empty carriage he met, and alighted at the intersection 
of the Eue Milton and the Eue Eodier, for he wished to 
present himself on foot at the door of the Hotel de la 
Providence, where he proposed to spend the night, if he 
found the room that overlooked the roof of the back build- 
ing was vacant. 

The entrance of this hotel was not imposing, by any 
means; but it was much more respectable in appearance 
than the old barrack guarded by Mother Eembriche, and 
the proprietor of the establishment was much more court- 
eous and obliging than the majority of his confreres . 

He rose instantly, when Becherel told him that he would 
like to engage a room for a fortnight, and replied: 

“ I have, only one that is unoccupied just at the present 
time, and that is on the fourth story; but in a few days I 
shall have a better one to offer monsieur.” 

“ In the fourth story !” thought Eobert. “ Why, that 
must be the very one I want . 9 9 

But he only said: 

“ Very well; I will try to make it do for the present; 
but I should like to see it before I engage it.” 

“ Certainly, sir. I will show it to you, of course. Have 
you much baggage? I ask, because the room is rather 
small.” 

“ Only a small trunk that is now at the Northern Bail- 
way Station, and that I shall call for this evening if the 
room suits me.” 

“ Very well, sir; I will now show you up, if you like.” 

The room was very small, and contained only a curtain- 
less bed, two cane-seat chairs, and a pine table, adorned 
with a broken wash-bowl and pitcher; but Eobert was not 
in pursuit of luxury now. He was interested only in the 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


149 


view, and without even stopping to glance at the furniture, 
he walked straight to the window through whose dusty 
panes only a small amount of sunlight could force its way. 

“ I will have it washed,” the proprietor made haste to 
say. 

He might have dispensed with the promise, however; for 
Eobert had perceived that the window overlooked the roof 
of the building Marcaudier had converted into a prison. 

Eobert opened the window, and leaning over the sill, re- 
marked as if casually: 

6 6 The view from here is not bad. 99 

“ In the direction of Montmartre it is obstructed to some 
extent by the houses opposite, but you have a view of a 
very pretty garden, and it is a rare thing to get a glimpse 
of a bit of verdure in Paris; besides, the ground being high 
here, the air is excellent.” 

ci I know it, and I should judge, too, that it must be 
very quiet here. I have to work at night sometimes, and I 
don't like to be disturbed.” 

“ Oh, monsieur could not have chosen a better place in 
that respect. The noises of the city do not reach us here; 
besides, there is hardly any travel on the Eue Eodier. The 
building you see before us is unoccupied, and the owner of 
the house at the other end of the garden is away from 
home. Monsieur might suppose himself a hundred leagues 
from Paris, and if monsieur happens to be engaged in lit- 
erary pursuits — ” 

“ Precisely,” interrupted Eobert, delighted at this op- 
portunity to attribute to himself some plausible profession. 
“ I have written a play, and I came to Paris to submit it 
to the judgment of a celebrated author who resides on the 
Avenue Trudaine, not far from here. I shall probably 
have to make some changes in it, and am, therefore, anx- 
ious to secure quarters where I shall be free from interrup- 
tion. 9 9 

“ Monsieur may be sure that no one will enter his room, 


150 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


except at his request. I will give orders to that effect. 
Will monsieur take the room;” 

“ That depends upon the price/' said Robert, the better 
to personate the role of traveler. 

“ Sixty francs a month, payable once a fortnight, in ad- 
vance." 

The dingy little room had never been rented for more 
than twenty-five francs a month before, and not often at 
that price; but Becherel would willingly have given five 
times the rent asked for the privilege of occupying it; so 
he immediately handed thirty francs to the proprietor, who 
pocketed the money with evident satisfaction, and said: 

“ If monsieur will now go down with me to the office, I 
will enter monsieur's name upon the register. It is a for- 
mality required by the police, as monsieur is- doubtless 
aware. ' ' 

Some of the difficulties of this rash undertaking were al- 
ready becoming aj>parent; but this was not of a nature to 
daunt Robert, for there was nothing to prevent him from 
getting out of the difficulty by a slight prevarication. 

The innkeeper, at his dictation, inscribed the name of 
Roberts in the column of names, and farmer in the place 
reserved for the profession or business of the guest. 

Becherel 's name was really Robert, and he did own sev- 
eral farms. 

“ I will be here with my trunk between nine and ten 
this evening," he remarked, when the formality of register- 
ing was concluded. 

‘ 6 Monsieur will find his room ready. There is no fire- 
place in it, but if monsieur desires a fire, I will have a por- 
table stove carried up." 

“ That is not necessary. A table to write on, and a couple 
of candles will be all I shall need. " 

And Robert went away, well satisfied with the opening 
of his campaign. He might have obtained further infor- 
mation from his host, but he thought it more prudent not; 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


151 


to make any inquiries in regard to the neighbors, for an 
imprudent question might excite suspicion. 

Everything was now in readiness, but several hours must 
elapse before Becherel could begin operations, so he thought 
he might as well employ the time pleasantly. 

He accordingly strolled leisurely down the Boulevard des 
Italiens, and seated himself in front of Tortoni’s, to smoke 
a cigar and watch the passers-by. 

While thus engaged, he saw Gustave Pi ton enter the 
establishment in company with two other brokers, but as 
they showed no sign of having seen him, he concluded to 
remain. Gustave seemed to be in the best of spirits, and 
from this fact Becherel concluded that he must have de- 
vised some means of securing possession of the fruits of 
his fortunate speculation. 

However this may have been, the gentlemen left the 
place after a stay of about twenty minutes, and soon after 
their departure, Robert crossed the boulevard to get his 
dinner at the Cafe Anglais. 

He was not in the habit of taking his meals at this ex- 
pensive restaurant; but it was not the first time he had 
entered it, and he felt none of the embarrassment that as- 
sails so many provincials when they venture into a public 
place frequented by wealthy and aristocratic Parisians. 

He ordered a dinner that did honor to his knowledge of 
gastronomy, and wines suited to his situation — a bottle of 
old Musigny to give him strength, and a half bottle of ex- 
cellent champagne, to bring about that confidence and that 
nervous energy so necessary when one is about to embark 
in a difficult undertaking; and this twofold result was so 
far attained that when he rose from the table about half 
past eight o’clock he felt ready and able to achieve won- 
ders. 

He then directed his steps homeward, and on arriving 
there, found that his orders had been judiciously and intel- 
ligently carried out, and that nothing had been forgotten; 


152 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


so, after placing a revolver and a box of cartridges in his 
pocket, and buckling a belt like those worn in gymnasiums 
around his waist, he sent Jean out in search of a carriage. 

When the vehicle arrived, and his trunk had been placed 

upon it, he went down-stairs, bade Jean take good care of 

* 

the rooms until his master’s return, and then loudly ordered 
the coachman to drive to the Northern Railroad Station. 

On arriving there, he had his trunk carried into the 
waiting-room, and dismissed his carriage. A quarter of an 
hour afterward, he took another, had his trunk placed 
upon it, and gave the coachman the address of the Hotel 
de la Providence. 

A criminal or an outlaw would not have taken more 
pains to throw the police off the scent; but Becherel had 
several reasons for adopting this course. In the first place, 
he did not want Jean or the concierge to know where he 
was going, for he desired his nocturnal expedition to remain 
a secret, and in the second place he thought it possible that 
his new host might question the coachman in order to as* 
certain where his guest really came from. 

The drive from the station to the hotel was not a long 
one, and his change of quarters was effected without any 
incident worthy of mention. The proprietor of the house 
received his new guest very cordially, and escorted him - up 
to his room himself, followed by a shabbily dressed serv- 
ant with the trunk. 

The wash-bowl and pitcher had been removed from the 
table, and it was now furnished with writing materials, in- 
cluding a quire of foolscap and two candles. 

As soon as these last had been lighted, Becherel thanked 
his host for his attentions and dismissed him, after which 
his first care was to satisfy himself that the door had a bolt 
on the inside, and finding there was. one he both locked and 
bolted the door, placing the key on the inside so as to pre- 
vent any one from looking through the key-hole. 

Thus protected alike from any sudden intrusion and from 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


153 


espionage, Eobert proceeded to unpack his trunk, removing 
from it everything except the suit of clothing, for which he 
had no immediate use and which he had brought with him 
chiefly to convince Jean that he was really going to the 
country; and after placing the other articles on the bed he 
cautiously opened the window. 

The moon, which was in its last quarter, had not yet 
risen, and the night was very dark. Not a star glimmered 
in the sky and there was not a breath of air stirring. 

Becherel consequently ran very little risk of being seen 
while he was making his way over the roof; but on the 
other hand the darkness made it impossible for him to cal- 
culate the exact distance that separated him from the field 
of his explorations. 

Fortunately he had measured it pretty accurately with 
his eye during the day and knew that the roof to which he 
wished to descend was only seven or eight feet below his 
■window, though it extended some distance beyond the 
hotel; but the only windows in this roof were on the side 
next the alley, so the great difficulty consisted in making 
-his way up one side of the steep roof, over the comb, and 
then sliding down to the openings on the other side, which 
had probably been closed at nightfall. 

The first part of the undertaking was much the easiest; 
for Eobert, if he had not been obliged to regain his cham- 
ber again could have jumped down upon the roof without 
the slightest difficulty. 

One question, however, remained to be decided. At 
what hour should he begin work? 

Of course the longer he deferred the undertaking the less 
danger he ran of being troubled by inquisitive neighbors, 
provided he allowed himself time to complete it before day- 
light; but on the other hand if he deferred it too long he 
might become nervous and possibly discouraged, hence it 
would perhaps be advisable for him to profit by his present 
ardor. Besides, the quiet residents of that neighborhood 


154 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


probably retired at a very early hour. Even now, though 
a neighboring clock had struck ten only a few minutes be- 
fore, all the inmates of the Hotel de la Providence seemed 
to be asleep. 

The proprietor had not exaggerated when he extolled the 
remarkable quietness of the place. No sound reached 
Robertas ears; and as he leaned from the window he could 
see no light except the reflection of the street lamps on the 
Rue Milton. Marcaudier’s house concealed those on the 
Rue Rodier from him. This profound stillness and the 
total absence of light in any of the surrounding houses 
made him decide upon immediate action. 

It was not very cold; and his coat would only hamper his 
movements, so he took it off, buckled his belt more tightly 
around him, put the chisel and pincers in his pockets,, 
lighted his lantern, lowered the shade so as to conceal the 
blaze of the candle from view, and hung it around his neck 
with a chain provided for that purpose. This done, he 
twined around his chest the longer of the two ropes, and 
after thus equipping himself he fastened the short one 
securely to the window-sill; he then crawled out upon the 
window-ledge feet foremost, and seizing the first knot in 
the rope with both hands, he lowered himself to the roof 
below. It took him only an instant to reach it; but the 
next step would prove a much more difficult one, as it. 
would consist in dragging himself uji to the comb of the 
roof — no easy matter, when this roof is covered with slates 
closely overlapping one another, and presenting no projec- 
tions to serve as points of support. 

Robert did not hesitate, however, and by dint of strength 
and perseverance finally succeeded in reaching the comb of 
the roof. This feat accomplished, he paused to take breath 
and also to examine the side upon which he must next 
venture. 

As he had foreseen, the small windows in the roof were 
closed, and no ray of light was visible through them; but 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


155 


this might be due either to their extreme thickness or to 
the fact that the interior of the garret was shrouded in 
darkness. In either case Robert’s task was now rendered 
more difficult by the necessity of prying open one or both 
of these windows with his chisel, and the danger of slipping 
during the operation. 

Robert was about to venture upon this inclined plane 
when he saw a light suddenly appear in the second story of 
the private house fronting on the Rue Milton; but the light 
vanished almost instantly, to appear a moment afterward 
in the story below, only to again disappear; and Robert 
felt sure that this light was carried by some one who was 
descending to the basement of the house and from there 
perhaps into the garden. 

To satisfy himself of this fact he crawled cautiously to 
the end of the building, and then stretched himself out at 
full length, with his head projecting beyond the gable end; 
but though his position was by no means comfortable he 
was soon well repaid for his trouble, for only a minute 
afterward he saw a man with a lantern coming slowly down 
the garden and straight toward the building on which 
he was perched. Certainly this person, whose features 
were concealed from the anxious watcher’s gaze by the 
darkness, had not left the house at this hour of the night 
merely to stroll about the garden; so Robert felt very little 
surprise when he saw the man, when directly beneath him, 
open a door and enter this same mysterious building. The 
Inmates of the house on the Rue Milton also had access to 
this extension of Marcaudier’s house, that was evident. 

Were they, then, the usurer’s accomplices, or was there 
really, as Cash on Delivery declared, a party wall that 
divided the building into two parts? It seemed more than 
probable, however, that the prison in which the woman 
was confined had two doors, one oy>ening into the house on 
the Rue Rodier and the other into the garden; and in that 
case there could be no doubt of the neighbor’s complicity. 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


156 

However this might be, the mystery was certainly deepen- 
ing; and Becherel, though greatly perplexed, was obliged 
to wait for the man to emerge before taking any further 
action in the matter, for it was not impossible that the 
man was with the prisoner at that very moment. He had, 
perhaps, come to bring her food; and in that case, his visit 
was not likely to be a long one. 

Robert continued to watch, therefore; but he had seated 
himself astride the comb of the roof a little further back 
from the gable end of the building, and was now dividing 
his attention between the garden and the windows in the 
roof. 

Soon it seemed to him that the panes of glass became a 
little more brilliant, as if there was a light beneath them, 
but a very faint light, like that of a lantern. He did 
think strongly of satisfying himself of the fact, but he said 
to himself that he would probably be unable to see any- 
thing by reason of the thickness of the glass, and that he 
had better remain where he could command a view of the 
garden. 

It was well that he did, for in about five minutes the 
windows became dim again, and a few minutes afterward 
the man reappeared in the garden still carrying his lantern; 
and Robert, who was watching him, saw him re-enter the 
house and extinguish his light before closing the door. 

That was all. The house remained dark and silent, so 
the man probably departed as he had come — by way of the 
Rue Milton — so he did not live in the house, and every- 
thing seemed to indicate that he would not return again 
that night. 

The aspect of the situation had suddenly changed. The 
jailer who was guarding the prisoner was probably not Mar- 
caudier after all, for Marcaudier would hardly have taken 
the trouble to make such a long detour. 

But if Robert intended to rescue the victim, the moment 
had now come to make the attempt. 


CASH OX DELIVERY. 


157 


Becherel proposed to lower himself into the garret with 
the aid of the long knotted rope; and he did nob altogether- 
despair of inducing the prisoner to leave it with him and 
make her way over the roof to his room in the Hotel de la 
Providence, where she would be safe until he could taka 
her elsewhere, for her tormentor would not think of com- 
ing there to look for her. 

If she refused to attempt a journey that was certainly 
rather difficult and dangerous for a woman, he could at 
least have a conversation with her and induce her to tell 
him her story; and when he had learned her history he 
would go, in company with Colonel Mornac, and inform the 
nearest commissioner of police of the facts and request him 
to put an end to this state of affairs. 

Robert accordingly made his way cautiously along the 
comb of the roof until he reached a point directly above the 
nearest window, then lying flat upon his stomach, he slid 
down the roof, feet foremost, steadying himself as well as 
he could with his hands. A professional tiler might have 
attempted this feat without much danger; but Becherel,, 
who had no experience in such matters, certainly ran a 
great risk of losing his life. 

Fortunately the slope was more gradual than on the other 
side of the roof, and though it took Robert fully ten min- 
utes to make the descent he finally succeeded in securing a 
position directly under the window, and where the space 
left by a broken slate furnished him with an insecure foot- 
hold. 

He began work by unrolling the rope coiled around his 
body; he then detached his lantern, which had been greatly 
in his way in the descent, placed it on the roof within reach, 
surrounding it with a coil of rope to hold it in place, and 
then drawing the chisel from his pocket he inserted the 
slender end of it under the lower corner of the window- 
sash. 

The window was heavy, and Becherel had a great deal. 


158 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


of difficulty in starting it, for it had not been made to open 
outward, but it was provided on the inside with two iron 
supports that worked in a piece of notched iron and pre- 
vented the window from falling. 

After the first slight raising of the sash was accom- 
plished, Robert placed both hands upon the chisel and bore 
all his weight upon it. Soon a grating sound warned him 
that the iron arms had caught in the notches, and that the 
sash, sustained by these supports, would remain open. 

The opening was quite large enough for a man to pass 
through.; but before venturing he cautiously put his head 
in to see what he could see, but he could distinguish noth- 
ing in ‘the dark depths below, nor could he hear the slight- 
est sound. 

INTevertheless the prisoner must be there, as her jailer 
had left the house alone; so Robert concluded she was 
asleep. He did not think for an instant of abandoning the 
undertaking so fortunately begun, however. There was a 
steel hook at each end of his rope, one large and one small, 
and he fastened the largest to one of the iron supports that 
upheld the window and which was quite strong enough to 
sustain the weight of his body. 

But he did not want to descend until after he had secured 
a look at the depths below, for it was by no means im- 
probable that the prisoner was guarded by an assistant 
jailer, who would attack Robert as soon as he reached the 
floor and before he had even time to assume an attitude of 
defense. So he attached his lantern to the small hook at 
the other end of the rope, and he was about to lower it into 
the garret when the broken tile upon which his feet were 
resting gave way. 

He felt himself sliding down the roof with the swiftness 
of lightning, and thought he was lost. To say that he did 
not lose his wits for an instant would be doing him too 
much honor; but the instinct of self-preservation remained 
&nd supplied the place of the missing will. 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


159 


Involuntarily Becherel stretched out his arms to clutch 
something, and his right hand coming m contact with the 
rope that had been fastened to the iron support, he clung 
to it with all the energy of despair. It was a fortunate 
thing for him that he had seized it not more than a yard 
from its point of attachment, for if he had caught hold of 
it lower down it might not have successfully resisted the 
strain caused by the sudden jerk, which was much less 
severe under the present circumstances. 

This fact is perfectly understood by all mountain ex- 
plorers and Alpine travelers. Four tourists, one of whom 
was an English nobleman, perished a number of years ago> 
simply because they had allowed the rope that bound them 
to one another to become too slack, and a misstep made by 
the last person in the line dragged them all down a fright- 
ful precipice. 

Becherel was more fortunate; but his descent was so 
rapid, and the window was only such a short distance from 
the eaves, that before he could stop himself his legs were 
beyond the spouting. 

The lantern, too, was dangling quite a little distance 
below him; and as the light in it was still burning, it 
might attract the attention of pedestrians on the Rue 
Rodier. 

But no one seemed to be passing; besides, such a possi- 
bility was the least of BechereFs troubles. He was think- 
ing only of escaping from his perilous position, so the first 
thing he did was to seize the rope tightly with both hands,, 
for he knew that he would not be able to sustain himself 
long with the right. 

When he had done this, and succeeded in raising himself 
enough to get one knee on the spouting, he thought him- 
self virtually saved, though he realized that the frail sup- 
port might give way beneath him at any instant. He did 
not remain on this dangerous perch long, however, bufc 
slowly and laboriously raising himself, hand over hand, her 


160 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


at last readied the open window again, and then drew up 

\ 

the rope that had saved him from death. 

The candle in the lantern was still burning, and the 
time had come to make use of it in lighting the depths be- 
low, so Becherel cautiously lowered it, and found that the 
ceiling of the room in which the unfortunate woman he 
had come to deliver was confined could not be more than 
ten feet high. The floor w r as bare, and Becherel not only 
saw no furniture, but no sign of the prisoner. 

Still, the light must have woke her, even if she was 
asleep, so why was she crouching in some corner of her 
dungeon instead of approaching the lantern? Did she not 
understand that this light, descending from above, indi- 
cated that succor was at hand? 

\ 

Becherel perceived now that the light with which he had 
provided himself would be of very little service to him 
unless he descended with it, but he was unwilling to do this 
until he had satisfied himself that an enemy was not lying 
in wait for him below, so he deferred action yet a little 
longer. 

His patience was finally rewarded. 

After about five minutes of attentive watching he saw 
something moving within the lighted circle. One might 
have supposed it the bottom of a swaying curtain appear- 
ing and disappearing at regular intervals — a fragment of 
material that certainly did not move itself, and that must 
be the bottom of some garment, doubtless of a trailing- 
dress, and Becherel rightly judged that the recluse must 
be walking around the lantern, as a moth, attracted by the 
light, circles around it without daring to approach it. 

“ She will finally make up her mind to touch it,” Robert 
said to himself, and he was right, for after revolving 
around it a number of times, she suddenly knelt down and 
examined the light. 

It was certainly a woman, and she was enveloped in a 
long wrapper that covered her from her neck to her feet. 


CASH 0^ DELIVERY. 


161 


She was bending so low over the light that Becherel 
could not even catch a glimpse of her face, but he hoped 
that she would finally pick up the lantern and hold it up 
over her head for the purpose of ascertaining where it came 
from, and who had lowered it. 

He was disappointed in this hope, however, for the pris- 
oner after a short halt, hastily retreated, and again became 
invisible. She had probably taken refuge at the other end 
of the garret. 

Robert could scarcely hope for her return now, and if he 
desired to carry the investigation any further he must cer- 
tainly venture down himself. The chisel he had used was 
still lying on the roof fortunately, for it might have fallen 
into the street, and Becherel, who did not want to leave 
any trace of his visit, hastily replaced it in his pocket, and 
then turning, he introduced his feet into the opening and 
began to descend with the aid of the knotted rope. 

This was mere child’s play in comparison with the diffi- 
culties he had already overcome, and ffe soon reached the 
floor below. As soon as he set foot upon it he unhooked 
the lantern from the rope, and started in search of the 
prisoner. He did not see her at first, but he perceived 
' that the onlv article of furniture in the room was a cot bed 


with a tick filled with straw upon it. There was not even 
a chair or a table, nothing but a long shelf fastened to the 
wall, a stone pitcher, and in one corner a torn screen. 

Upon the shelf were the remains of a hermit’s repast, 
some decayed fruit and a morsel of moldy cheese. The 
prisoners at Mazas fare infinitely better, and Becherel won- 
dered how a human being could manage to subsist upon 
such a diet. 

Where was the victim of this barbarity? She could not 
have left the garret, so Robert immediately proceeded to 
explore the dungeon, which was but imperfectly lighted by 
the lantern. 

Robert rather expected to find the recluse hiding behind 


162 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


the screen, but he did not expect to find her crouching 
upon the floor with her face buried in her hands. He did 
not see her at first, but on moving the screen he nearly 
stumbled over her, and warned by this sudden collision, he 
lowered his lantern until the light fell full upon the bowed 
form of the unfortunate woman. 

“ Rise, madame,” he said, kindly, touching her lightly 
upon the shoulder. 

Her only reply was a low moan. 

“ I have come to release you,” he added, gently. 

On hearing these words she straightened herself up a 
little, and partially revealed a face emaciated by privations 
and distorted with terror. 

“ Do not harm me/’ she murmured, imploringly. 

“ You have nothing to fear. I am a friend ,*/ replied 
Becherel. 

And as she did not move, he took her by the hand and 
raised her to her feet. She offered no resistance, and 
Becherel could examine her at his leisure, for she remained 
as motionless as a statue. It was evidently fear that thus 
petrified her, for she gazed at Becherel with such terrified 
eyes that she looked like a prisoner who sees her execu- 
tioner suddenly appear before her. 

She was clothed in a long loose gown of coarse gray flan- 
nel, very like a monk^s robe in shape. Her head was 
covered with a mass of disheveled gray hair, and her face 
was wax-like in its pallor. 

Still she must once have been very handsome, for her 
features were remarkably regular and . delicate. It was 
difficult to decide upon her age. By her wrinkled and 
haggard face one would have supposed her at least sixty, 
but she might have been much younger. Solitude and 
cruel treatment age prisoners very rapidly. When Latude 
left the Bastile he looked like a centenarian. 

Becherel endeavored to discover some resemblance be- 
tween this woman and Violette, but he utterly failed, and 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


163 


he soon perceived that the light of his lantern troubled the 
unfortunate woman, who was undoubtedly accustomed to 
live in comparative darkness. The light dazzled her, and 
to escape it, she closed her eyes like an owl surprised by a 
ray of sunlight. 

Bobert, who had not let go of her hand, perceived that 
she was trembling violently, so he led her to the cot and 
placed his lantern on the shelf that served her as a table. 

She seated herself mechanically on the side of the cot, 
and sat there without moving or speaking. 

Bobert thought she was waiting for him to question her. 

“ I had a great deal of difficulty in reaching you, ma- 
dame,” he said, gently, “ and we have no time to lose. 
The man who was here just now may take it into his head 
to return — ” 

“ No, he will not return until to-morrow night/’ mur- 
mured the prisoner. 

“ He will not find you if you will consent to follow me/’ 

“ Follow you?” 

“ Yes, and immediately. It is not an easy road to 
travel, it is true, but I will help you. ” 

She did not appear to understand him, so Bobert pointed 
to the opening overhead. She glanced up at it, but 
dropped her head again, almost instantly, and did not 
utter a word. Becherel saw her shudder. 

‘ 4 You are afraid to venture?/ asked Becherel. 

She made a sign of assent. 

“ Ah, well! even if you are afraid to make the danger- 
ous journey I can save you all the same. Tell me who you 
are. Tell me your story, and I swear that you shall be 
free to-morrow. I will inform the authorities that you are 
detained against your will, and at their order the doors of 
your dungeon will be opened, and the wretches who have 
immured you here will be punished. Tell me all, I be- 
seech you. You must understand what I say to you. I 
am awaiting your response.” 


164 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


The response did not come, however, and Becherel be- 
gan to wonder if he was not dealing with an idiot; still, he 
did not lose heart. 

“ You can not have lived here always,” he continued. 
“ You must have lived somewhere before you were confined 
in this horrible place. You must have had a name. Tell 
me what it was/ - ’ 

“ A name!” repeated the woman, vacantly. 

“Yes. What were you called?” 

“ I don't know; I have forgotten.”' 

“ Make an effort to recollect, and your memory will 
surely return.” 

“ I can not. ” 

Eobert could scarcely credit this total obliteration of a 
faculty that becomes impaired with ag'e, but that is never 
entirely lost. Old people do not remember facts of recent 
occurrence, but they recollect those of a remote date very 
plainly; and even idiots and lunatics retain some recollec- 
tion of their past. 

Eobert, who was aware of this fact, did not abandon all 
hope, but he adopted another means of ascertaining what 
he wanted to know. 

“ You lived in a seaport town, did you not?” he asked, 
abruptly. 

“ The sea — yes, I have seen it. Jt is beautiful.” 

“ You lived in Havre, I believe.” 

* 

“ Havre? No, I know no such place.” 

“ The deuce! it seems that I must have been mistaken,” 
thought Becherel. “ In fact, all maritime towns have 
piers.”* 

“ But you, at least, know who Marcaudier is,” he added, 
aloud. 

This new attempt proved no more successful than the 
first, however. The recluse looked at him with a bewil- 
dered air; she had evidently never heard of Marcaudier be- 
fore. 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


1(35 


The further Beeherel proceeded with his investigation 
the more convinced he became that he had been mistaken 
in his suspicions, and already he was inclined to believe the 
usurer innocent of the crime of which he had formerly ac- 
cused him. 

It might be, after all, that Cash on Delivery was not the 
culprit. Indeed, from what he had seen on the roof, 
Robert was inclined to think that this woman’s persecutor 
resided in the house on the Rue Milton. 

“ Do you know where you are?” continued Robert. 

The prisoner shook her head. 

“ You are in Paris — in a house that fronts on the Rue 
Rodier and extends to a garden on the Rue Milton. ” 

These names seemed to make no impression on the pris- 
oner, but she exclaimed: 

“A garden? I love gardens! There are flowers in 
them?” 

‘‘You had one years ago, probably.” 

“Yes, it was full of roses.” 

“ Why did you leave it?” 

The light that had shone in the unfortunate woman’s 
eyes a moment before suddenly became dim, and she again 
relapsed into the torpor that so disheartened Beeherel. 

Had she really lost her mind, or was she only playing a 
part — answering unimportant questions, but ignoring all of 
a compromising nature. 

An idea that in spite of his protestations of friendship 
she might take him for an emissary sent by her jailer oc- 
curred to him. i 

“ She is so afraid of him that she dares not commit her- 
self,” he said to himself. “ Perhaps she is even afraid 
that he is listening at the door by which he entered and left 
the room. She fears that he is setting a trap for her, and 
that he will kill her if she complains of his ill treatment.” 

The supposition seemed plausible enough certainly, for 
the scoundrel’s victim still maintained the submissive, 


166 


CASH OX DELIVERY. 


cringing attitude of a dog that is in the habit of being 
beaten. It was necessary, consequently, to reassure her, 
but this was no easy matter, as* all the protestations in the 
world would have very little weight with her. 

Still the matter must be settled one way or the other, 
for he was still in doubt whether he was in the presence of 
Violet te*s mother or not. But he had in reserve a final 
test which he fancied must prove decisive. If this did not 
solve the mystery, there would be nothing left for him but 
to go away as he had come. The mystery of the recluse 
interested him only so far as it concerned Violette, and if 
it did not concern her he cared very little about delivering 
a stranger — a mad woman too, who ought perhaps to be 
kept in confinement. 

This feeling was not very generous perhaps, but it was 
at least excusable in a person in Robert *s situation. 

“ You misunderstand my intentions, perhaps/* he con- 
tinued, after a pause. “ I am your sincere well wisher, 
and though I do not know all the events of your life, I at 
least know that you have a daughter. ** 

Bobert was by no means sure of this fact, however, but 
the well-known maneuver of telling a falsehood to get at 
the truth seemed at first likely to prove successful. 

The prisoner gave a violent start; her eyes sparkled and 
she lifted up her head. One might have supposed that the 
maternal feeling had suddenly revived in her crushed heart. 

64 Shall I tell you her name?** asked Becherel, in even 
gentler tones. “ Her name is Simone.** 

“ Simone!** repeated the unfortunate woman, passing 
her hand over her brow; “ yes, I know the name. I have 
heard it before, but I have no daughter. No, I have 
none. ** 

The memory of the recluse had evidently received a 
shock, but the shock had not been sufficiently severe to 
render it lucid, and Yiolette’s lover saw that he would have 
to begin over again. 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


167 


u She is nineteen years old,” he continued, 44 and she h 
a beautiful blonde, with dark eyes. She must have been 
lovely even in her infancy. You surely can not have for- 
gotten her — if she were here, you would recognize her I 
am sure.” 

He received no reply, but he could see that the blow had 
told. 

The drawn features of the recluse showed plainly enough 
that she was making a desperate effort to recover the 
almost broken thread of her ideas. The swelled veins 
stood out like whip-cords under her wax-like skin, and the 
big drops of sweat that covered her forehead betrayed a 
violent mental struggle. 

It might be that solitude and privations had caused this 
loss of reason in her case. This was more than probable, 
indeed, for Robert could no longer suspect her of feigning 
madness to conceal her secret, for it was evident that she 
was suffering terribly. 

44 If I should take you to see her, you would be very 
glad, would you not? And the poor child who has mourned 
your loss for so many years would bless me for restoring 
her mother to her.” 

44 Simone? Did you say that her name was Simone?” 

44 Yes, and this name must certainly remind you of the 
time when you held her in your arms. You can now en- 
joy that happiness again. There is nothing to prevent 
you from seeing her again if you will only summon up 
courage to leave this horrible place with me.” 

44 But how?” asked the prisoner, brusquely. 44 He 
locked and barred the door to-night as he always does. ” 

44 Who is he?” 

44 My persecutor — the cruel man who keeps me here to 
die of cold and starvation. I have implored him a hun- 
dred times to kill me, and end my sufferings, but he will 
not. ” 

44 Why does he torture you thus?” 


168 


CASH OK DELITER Y. 


“ I do not know.” 

“ But you must know who he is.” 

“No.” 

“ But you can certainly describe his face to me, as he 
comes here every night.” 

“ He always comes masked. I have never seen his 

face. ” 

“ That is very strange, but it is conclusive proof that 
you must know him. If you had never seen him in former 
years, when you were free, he would not take this precau- 
tion. He must speak to you, however — ” 

“ Very rarely. He throws my food to me as if I were a 
dog; and when I complain he never even answers me.” 

All this shed no light upon the mystery Beclierel was 
trying to solve, but it seemed to him that the prisoner was 
beginning to understand better what was wanted of her. 
If the poor creature was mad, as he had good reason to 
fear, she certainly had her lucid moments by which he 
must endeavor to profit, if possible. 

So Robert lost no time in reverting to the name that had 
made a fleeting but very strong impression upon the pris- 

- A 

oner, judging by the change in her countenance. 

4,4 You pretend that you have no daughter,” he re- 
marked, “ but you know very well that you had one, and 
that she disappeared. You think she is dead, probably, 
but she lives, I swear it! She is looking for you, and I 
have promised to find you for her.” 

He paused, for he saw that she had ceased to listen to 
him. Her mind seemed to be in the clouds, and she closed 
her eyes like one in a dream. How was he to arouse her 
from this lethargy? 

A new idea suddenly occurred to him. The apple and 
the paper in which it had been wrapped were still in his 
pocket, and he decided to make use of them. 

“You are silent when I speak of Simone, M he said, 
“ and you seem to have forgotten her; and vet you remem- 


CAfcJi ON. DELIVERY. 10$ 

her her sometimes, as you summon her to your aid, for it 
was certainly you who threw me this.” 

As he spoke he showed her the apple and the paper on 
which she had written with her blood the name he had just 
uttered. 

The effect was instantaneous, but exactly contrary to 
what he had hoped, for she had scarcely glanced at the 
articles held out for her inspection, when she suddenly 
sprung to her feet, exclaiming: 

“It is false! I have written nothing! I have thrown 
nothing! You lie! You have invented this story to get 
me beaten. You are a cruel man. Go away! I never 
want to see you again. If you speak to me again I shall 
not answer you. ” 

And before he had time to prevent it she fled to the 
other end of the garret, and again concealed herself behind 
the screen. It was certainly madness now, and frantic 
madness, for she began to utter wild and despairing 
shrieks. 

Becherel was utterly at a loss what to do, and he began 
to ask himself if his undertaking was not as insane as this 
woman, for how was he to calm her and induce her to 
listen to reason? He could not flatter himself now that he 
would be able to resume the conversation at the point to 
which he had conducted it prior to the unfortunate resolve 
that had spoiled everything. 

The worst of all this was that the cries did not cease. 
She was uttering incoherent words now, and he recognized 
the voice as the same he heard when he lost his way in the 
passage on his first visit to Marcaudier; but now it was raised 
to such a pitch that it must almost reach the street. 

The situation w 7 as becoming extremely critical, for 
passers-by or neighbors might hear the sound, and imagin- 
ing that a woman was being murdered, insist upon the in- 
terference of the police. 

For the first time since the beginning of the adventure 


170 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


he thought of beating a retreat before he had conducted it 
to a successful termination. It was a great disappoint- 
ment to him to be obliged to leave before lie had solved the 
mystery, but there seemed to be no help for it. 

He waited, however, with a faint hope that the recluse 
would become quiet and consent to listen to reason. Hu- 
man strength has its limits, and one can not shriek on in- 
definitely. The woman would certainly be obliged to cease 
when her voice failed her, and that was already becoming 
weaker. 

A few moments more and these alarming cries must 
cease, and Robert was about to approach the unfortunate 
creature, so as to be able to take immediate advantage of 
the first opportunity to make himself heard when he was 
deterred by a loud pounding on the outside of the door. 

Who was rapping? Certainly not Marcaudier, for he 
was not likely to be at the house on the Rue Rodier at that 
hour of the night. 

“ Will you stop your noise, you hussy?” cried a voice 
that Becherel thought he recognized as the voice of Mother 
Rembriche. 

The effect of this coarse order was instantaneous. Not 
another sound escaped the prisoner. 

But though the rapping ceased, there was nothing to 
prove that the hideous old portress was not standing there 
still, with her ear at the key-hole, and this possibility decided 
Robert. He said to himself that if he should attempt to 
talk with the prisoner, or even to approach her, the cries 
might begin again, and Rembriche, who seemed to pos- 
sess her employer's entire confidence, undoubtedly had 
a key to the iron-barred door, and might enter for the pur* 
pose of punishing the prisoner for the disturbance she had 
made, and in that case Robert, on finding himself face to 
face with the old hag, would have no alternative but to 
take the stranger’s part. 

He was strongly tempted to do this now, but such an act 


CASH ON DELIVEKY. 


171 


might only make her situation still more intolerable, for if 
every door was standing open, he was by no means sure 
that the unfortunate woman would consent to follow him 
out of the house; and even if she did, what would he do 
with her, for it was very doubtful if he could succeed in 
finding a carriage, and if he did it was not unlikely that 
she would absolutely refuse to enter it. Under these cir- 
cumstances it would probably be better to leave her where 
she was, and make another attempt to rescue her at some 
future day. 

Hastily extinguishing the lantern for fear that a ray of 
light might make its way through the key-hole, and warn 
Mother Rembriche that the prisoner was not alone, he again 
fastened it around his neck, and seizing the knotted rope, 
made his way nimbly to the window in the roof, pulled the 
rope up after him, unhooked it, and then closed the win- 
dow, though not without considerable difficulty, for the 
supports were rusty and did not move very readily. He 
succeeded in lowering the sash, however, and everything 
having been put in place, he undertook his return journey. 

This was made without any accident this time, and he 
soon found himself in his poorly furnished chamber safe 
and sound, but far from satisfied with the result of his ex- 
pedition. 

He had seen with his own eyes that a woman was con- 
fined in that gloomy attic, but there was nothing to prove 
that this woman was Violette's mother. She had evinced 
some emotion on hearing the name of Simone, but she had 
speedily recovered from it, and he had been unable to ex- 
tort any definite information from her. 

The unfortunate woman was mad; Robert was convinced 
of that, but she was certainly none the less worthy of in- 
terest on that account, as she was detained there by force 
and was certainly very cruelly treated. But Becherel was 
beginning to get over his chivalrous notions. He said to 
himself that the poor creature's relatives might have good 


172 


CASH ON DELIVEKY. 


reasons for guarding her themselves instead of placing her 
m an insane asylum —private reasons that did not justify 
them in maltreating her, but that certainly did not con- 
cern strangers. 

Who were these inhuman relatives? The occupants of 
the house on the Rue Milton probably. Marcaudier must 
be their accomplice, or at least their confidant, as his por- 
tress guarded the prisoner. 

But there was no apparent connection between this un- 
fortunate affair and Yiolette’s history. 

“ And even if I should discover for a certainty that this 
unfortunate woman brought Yiolette into the world,” 
thought Robert, “ what would Violette do with an insane 
mother — a mother who could not even tell her the secret 
of her birth, as she has lost her memory as well as her rea- 
son. It would only be a fresh disappointment for Yiolette, 
and a heavy responsibility, to say nothing of the fact that I 
should only incense Marcaudier still more deeply against 
the poor child by wresting the victim from her persecutors. 
It would certainly be better for me to abandon for the 
present a project that would only increase the dangers of 
Violette’s situation. I had better consult Colonel Mornac 
perhaps before abandoning the undertaking, but I don’t 
much like the idea ol telling him about my unfortunate 
expedition; he would be sure to laugh at me. I know 
too, the advice he would give me. He would advise me to 
let the matter drop, I am sure, and I think he is quite 
right. ? Don’t run after two hares at the same time,’ the 
proverb says, and I shall have quite enough to do to defend 
Yiolette against the enemies that have leagued themselves 
together against her.” 

So with the fickleness that was one of his greatest faults 
Robert de Becherel suddenly abandoned the scheme upon 
which he had based all his hopes. He had dreamed of re- 
storing a mother to Yiolette, who would then abandon her 
plan of going on the stage, and whom he could subsequent- 


173 


CASH 01* DELIVERY. 

ly marry with the approval of his mother — his dear mother, 
who might arrive in Paris at any moment — and. now this 
fine scheme had all ended in smoke, and Robert was think- 
ing only of insuring the debutante’ s success, without ask- 
ing himself to what his increasing love for the fair Yiolette 
was likely to lead. 

Having come to this conclusion, he felt strongly tempted 
to return to his comfortable rooms on the Boulevard Pois- 
sonniere, but he could hardly depart in the middle of the 
night without exciting the suspicions of his host; besides, 
he was unwilling to leave his trunk filled with compromis- 
ing articles behind him. It would be much better for him 
to defer his departure until the next day, and then an- 
nounce that a telegram received that morning compelled 
him to return home immediately, to his very great regret. 

After smoking au incredible number of cigars, and walk- 
ing up and down his room a hundred times, Becherel 
finally concluded to go to bed. 

He had considerable difficulty in getting to sleep, but 
fatigue coming to his aid, he finally succeeded in closing 
his ej r es, muttering: 

“ The deuce take the mad woman! The deuce take 
Marcaudier! Live Yiolette and the Fantasies Lyriques!” 


CHAPTER VII. 

Three weeks had elapsed and Robert de Becherel had 
made no attempt to repeat his visit to the garret on the 
Rue Rodier. 

For a few days the poor woman he had left to the mercy 
of her persecutors was ever in his mind, and more than 
once he was on the point of relating his discovery to the 
commissioner of police of that precinct. Had he been in 
his native town he certainly would have done so, but being 
a comparative stranger in a large city, such a step on his 


174 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


part would be likely to involve him in considerable 
trouble. 

To excuse himself in his own eyes, he told himself that 
it would not be too late to deliver the prisoner after Vio- 
lette had made her debut ; . That, if this debut proved a 
success, Violette would have no further need of him; and 
that if she failed, there would still be a chance of his find- 
ing her relatives in Havre or elsewhere, as it could not be 
her mother who was languishing in the den on the Rue 
Rodier; but all this specious reasoning was, in reality, only 
an excuse for his indifference in regard to the fate of the 
recluse. 

The plain truth was that he was madly in love with Vio- 
lette, that he now lived only for her, and that it mattered 
very little to him whether she found her relatives or not, 
provided she returned his love. 

He saw Violette at her own home every day, after her 
return from rehearsal, for he would not go to the theater 
for f'eai of compromising her. 

Their conversation would have bored the colonel almost 
to death, as he was not of a sentimental turn of mind, but 
they enjoyed it immensely, and Violette, without absolute- 
ly revealing to Robert the secret of her heart, had allowed 
him to divine it. In fact, she no longer attempted to con- 
ceal that she loved him, and she troubled herself very little 
about the future. She was seriously imperiling her peace 
of mind, it is true, but she had confidence in herself, and 
in her own sense of right, and believed Robert incapable of 
taking advantage of the love he had inspired; nor had she 
had any cause to complain, or to regret the course she had 
pursued, for up to the present time everything had gone 
on as smoothly as heart could desire. 

Cochard, feeling confident that her debut would prove 
a brilliant success, spoiled and petted her as the owner of a 
racing stable pets the horse with which he expects to capt- 
ure the Grand Prize. The composers of the opera rubbed 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


175 


their hands as complacently as if they had discovered a gold 
mine, and even the other performers were obliged to admit 
that the fair Julia’s successor was an accomplished mu- 
sician and a cantatrice of the first order. 

She had learned her role with extraordinary ease, and 
now knew it so thoroughly, and was so sure of her effects, 
that she felt none of that fear of feeling afraid that gen- 
erally troubles debutantes. 

Colonel Mornac attended most of the rehearsals. He, 
too, felt confident of Yiolette’s success, and he did not con- 
ceal his opinion from Becherel who frequently breakfasted 
with him, but he did not think it advisable to remind the 
protege of the disadvantages of his infatuation for an 
actress. A young man twenty-four years of age rarely 
listens to this kind of sermon, and M. de Mornac did not 
like to waste his breath. 

Of his recent adventure, Robert had said never a word, 
and as the colonel had never thought his young friend 
really in earnest in his intention of searching for Yiolette’s 
relatives, he never alluded to a subject in which he took 
very little interest. 

Marcaudier had given no sign of life. Becherel had 
written to him, announcing his desire to take up the note, 
but the usurer had made no response, so Becherel had con- 
cluded to wait until the note became due. 

The prodigal son had written frequently to his mother, 
and from the letters he received in reply, Robert could see 
that his parent’s patience was nearly exhausted, and that she 
might make up her mind to start for Pans at any moment. 

Yiolette often inquired about Mme. de Becherel, and 
looked forward with delight to meeting her, little suspect- 
ing the greeting the aristocratic and devout lady was likely 
to bestow upon a singer at the Fantasies Lyriques. 

A few weeks before she had been less sanguine about the 
result of this meeting, but her happiness imparted a rose- 
colored hue to everything. 


176 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


There was one matter of an extremely annoying nature 
that Violette had not mentioned to her lover, however. For 
the last fortnight she had been receiving anonymous letters 
from a gentleman who offered her, not his hand and heart, 
but his protection and fortune. 

The young girl had paid no attention to the first letter, 
but in those that followed he had been more explicit. He 
offered her a cozy little establishment of her own — that 
dream of all debutantes — thirty thousand francs in bonds, 
and a monthly allowance almost equal to one twelfth of a 
cabinet minister's yearly salaiy. 

And in return for this unparalleled generosity, he asked 
nothing, at least for the present, not even an interview. 
He did not even say where he had seen Violette, but he 
promised to reveal his identity on the evening of the first 
performance. 

Violette, of course, had no intention of accepting the 
offers of this unknown adorer, but she foresaw that she 
would have considerable difficulty in avoiding his atten- 
tions; and she feared that Robert, if he discovered the truth, 
would challenge this man as he had challenged Galimas at 
the house of Mme. de Malvoisine. She did not want her 
lover to imperil his life on her account, so she resolved not 
to ask his aid, but to protect herself. 

To the great relief of both Robert and Violette, the day 
on which the first performance was to take place dawned 
at last. Everything had been in readiness for more than a 
week, but the manager, who was an adept in the art of 
advertising, had excited public curiosity to the uttermost 
by deferring the debut of the young and beautiful Mile. 
Thabor from day to day, upon divers pretexts; and every 
morning there appeared in the papers a few cleverly written 
lines announcing that a star of the first magnitude was 
about to appear upon the stage of the Fantasies Lyriques. 

Violette had not been willing that her own pretty name 
should figure in these notices, and upon the posters, so she 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


177 


had taken for her debut the name of Marie Thabor, that 
had been given her years before, in Rennes. All sorts of 
rumors were rife in relation to her. Some said that Coch- 
ard had discovered her at the house of a spurious count- 
ess, where she played the piano at so much a month, and 
that she was remarkably pretty. 

Every seat in the house had been sold for more than a 
week, and the colonel, who had an extensive acquaintance, 
had aided not a little in spreading the report that a para- 
gon of beauty and talent was about to display herself to 
the admiring gaze of the public. 

M. de Mornac had not thought it worth while to tell the 
manager why he took such a deep interest in Mile. Thabor, 
and Cochard was not even aware of Robert de Becherel’s 
existence, and supposed the old soldier’s evident desire for 
the success of this venture was a very natural aversion to 
losing his one hundred thousand francs. 

He had heard that the debutante' $ enemies had formed a 
cabal against her, but he counted upon the benevolence of 
the public and the beauty and talent of his new actress to 
avert this danger. 

He depended, too, upon his leader of the claque. 

The colonel had also given his instructions to this dis- 
penser of applause, the important personage upon whose 
tact and address the success or failure of a play and of an 
actress not unfrequently depends. 

The colonel had taken the matter deeply to heart, and 
had devoted all his time and influence to it. He had also 
purchased a large number of seats in which he intended to 
place his friends of both sexes. 

Nor had he missed a single rehearsal. On the contrary, 
he had been ever on hand to encourage and advise Violette, 
and to conciliate the other performers, who had not been 
very favorably disposed toward her at first, especially the 
women. - 

Robert had sedulously refrained from any act or atten- 


178 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


tion that would compromise Violette in the least, but he 
had no intention of carrying his self-sacrifice so far as to 
absent himself from the first performance, though he had 
sworn not to go behind the scenes. He had merely pur- 
chased a well-located orchestra-chair, and he had resolved 
not to leave it until the end of the performance. 

The final rehearsal had taken place with closed doors. 
Even the newspaper critics had not been admitted, this un- 
usual precaution being only another ruse of Cochard’s to 
excite the curiosity and eagerness of the public to the high- 
est possible pitch. 

On the morning of the eventful day, Robert breakfasted 
with the colonel, who seemed more and more confident, 
though the subject of Violette 7 s debut was scarcely 
broached. On the eve of a duel, the man who is to right 
is not much inclined to talk with his second about the ap- 
proaching encounter. 

After leaving the colonel, Robert went straight to the 
Rue de Constantinople, for Violette, who was obliged to be 
at the theater some time before the rising of the curtain, 
would not be able to see him at five o’clock, as usual. She 
even insisted upon shortening this interview, and after 
twenty minutes of confidential conversation they parted, 
with the agreement that Robert was to wait for Violette in 
a carriage at the artists’ entrance, after the close of the 
performance, and escort her home, but that they were to 
exchange no sign of recognition while she was on the stage. 

On leaving her, Becherel went straight home to dress. 

He was obliged to dine earlier than usual, as the perform- 
ance began at eight o’clock, and he wanted to take a 
short walk before dinner to quiet his nerves, for he was 
more uneasy and excited than he would have been willing 
to admit. 

On reaching his lodgings, he found Jean engaged in 
brushing his clothes, and making preparations for his mas- 
ter’s toilet. Since the reproof that M. de Mornac had ad- 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


179 


ministered to this youth, whom he had accused of listening 
at doors, Becherel had been very well satisfied with the 
conduct of his groom. 

He had sent him to the Hotel de la Providence for the 
trunk left there, and Jean had performed this rather deli- 
cate mission very satisfactorily, and when \ie gave an ac- 
count of the expedition, he had evinced no surprise at the 
fact that his master, who had ostensibly left the city by 
the Northern Railway, should have sent his trunk to a sec- 
ond-class lodging-house on the Rue Rodier. 

Jean was certainly a valuable servant, whatever the 
colonel might say. He continued to go out rather too often, 
but as Robert spent most of his time away from home, his 
servant's absence caused him no inconvenience. 

He had never mentioned Violette’s name, in the youth's 
presence, so he supposed, and with reason, that Jean must 
be ignorant of her existence. 

Though Robert had not announced his intention of go- 
ing to the theater that evening, it was not difficult to di- 
vine it, so he was not surprised to hear Jean ask permission 
to remain out until midnight, in order that he might be 
able to pay a visit to a compatriot who had just arrived in 
Paris. At the same time, Jean handed him a letter that 
had been received by post. It did not bear the Rennes 
postmark, nor was the handwriting that of Mme. de Bech- 
erel; still, there was nothing peculiar in the appearance of 
the missive. It was in a neatly sealed square envelope, and 
there was nothing to prevent Robert from opening it at 
once, but he liked to. divine the name of the writer b J 
studying the superscription. This was a sort of mania with 
him, when he did not recognize a handwriting at the first 
glance, and he was sure that he had never seen this before. 

It was not without something like a presentiment that 
lie finally broke the seal, and drew out the letter, and he 
had scarcely glanced at the unfolded sheet when a peculi- 
arity struck him. There was no address like “ Sir," or 


180 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


44 My dear friend,” standing out in bold relief, nor was 
there any signature below the ten or twelve lines that filled 
half the ])age. 

His presentiments had not deceived him. It was indeed 
an anonymous letter, and it read as follows: 

• 

44 Yiolette is a pretty girl, and Monsieur de Mornac is a 
shrewd man. They are enjoying themselves hugely at 
your expense. He has been her lover for a fortnight, and, 
of course, wishes her well, but he hasn't the slightest desire 
to marry her. He wants to find a man who is enough in 
love with the girl to do that. He has found him in you. 
You are a good match for her, and. Monsieur de Mornac is 
your best friend. Marry without delay. You three will 
form a united household, and you will be the happiest of 
them all. Not this evening, however. This evening, after 
the performance, you will find yourself in a very unenvia- 
ble frame of mind." 

When Becherel looked up, after perusing this letter, the 
face he disclosed to view was so distorted that Jean asked 
him if he was ill. 

44 Leave me; I will dress without your assistance/' re- 
plied Kobert, brusquely. 44 1 give you leave of absence for 
the whole evening, and when you return, you need not 
wait for me." 

Jean disappeared, and his master sunk heavily into an 
arm-chair. The blow he had just received was as severe as 
it was unexpected, for Becherel had never had the shadow 
of a doubt of Violette's honor or M. de Mornac 's loyalty. 
His first thought was that the accusation was absurd, and 
that the anonymous correspondent was a wretch whose 
calumnies should be treated with silent scorn, but, as usual, 
in such cases, upon reflection, there were circumstances 
that seemed to substantiate this charge. 

Bobert asked himself for the first time why the colonel, 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


181 


who was essentially worldly in his nature, had suddenly 
taken such an interest in Violette, and so warmly espoused 
her cause. And why, since Cochard had engaged her, had 
M. de Mornac ceased to preach wisdom to his young friend? 
Why had he seemed, by his silence, to encourage him in 
his infatuation for Violette? Why had he refrained from 
any allusion to a scheme in which he had at first taken such 
an interest — the attempt to discover the orphan's relatives? 
To these questions, and others of a similar nature, Becherel 
could find no satisfactory response. 

Fortunately it was not long before a reaction began, and 
he bitterly reproached himself for his weakness and credul- 
ity. How could he suppose for a moment that a brave sol- 
dier could so lower himself as to shamefullv deceive the son 
of an old friend, and that a pure and artless girl could be 
guilty of such base treachery? 

66 Those wretches are the writers of this letter, unques- 
tionably," muttered Becherel. “ It is to them that I must 
look for redress; and I shall have it, for I know where to. 
seek it." 

This letter could in fact have come only from one of 
Violette's enemies -one of those who were plotting her 
ruin. There were at least three of these enemies — Her- 
ininia, Marcaudier, and Julia Pannetier — but Robert's sus- 
picions fell chiefly upon Herminia, for the letter sounded 
like that of a jealous woman. 

“ This evening, after the performance, I will show this 
outrageous production to Violette," he thought, 44 and to- 
morrow to Monsieur de Mornac. I love them both, and 
I esteem them both too highly to conceal it from them. 
After they both have seen it, we will talk the matter over, 
and decide what measures we had better take to suppress 
the whole set. " 

Nevertheless, he read the letter over again, and he now 
noticed one sentence that had not struck him particularly 
at first. 


182 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


“This evening, after the performance, you will find, 
yourself in a very unenviable frame of mind. ” 

This rather obscure prediction ended the letter like a 
sort of threatening postscript. What could it mean? 
Becherel after racking his brain for some time, finally con- 
cluded that it was merely an allusion to the hisses that were 
to assail the debutante . 

The explanation was not altogether satisfactory, but he 
■was unable to find a better one, so he finally placed the let- 
ter in his pocket-book and proceeded to dress himself. 

His toilet completed, he sent Jean out for an open car- 
riage, and ordered the coachman to drive down the 
Champs Elysees. 

It was nearly sunset and the avenue was thronged with 
carriages, for the weather was delightful, and Robert had 
the pleasure of meeting the ladies of the Rue du Rocher 
who were returning from the Bois in their victoria. He 
very naturally refrained from bowing to them, but he fan- 
cied that the fair Herminia bestowed a defiant look on him 
as she passed, accompanied by a mocking smile; but this 
mute declaration of war made very little impression upon 
him, for he was already aware of that young lady’s inten- 
tions. He continued his drive as far as the Arc de 
Triomphe, then returning by way of the Place de la Con- 
corde, he dismissed his carriage and stepped into a neigh- 
boring restaurant to get his dinner. 

A stay of an hour at a well-served table restored him to a 
more cheerful frame of mind and dispelled his few remain- 
ing doubts. 

He became thoroughly convinced of the absurdity of the 
accusation, and firmly resolved not to give the unpleasant 
subject another thought until the next day. 

It lacked only a few minutes of eight when he alighted 
from his carriage ou the Boulevard du Temple in front of 
the theater in which Violette’s fate was about to be decided 
— and his own as well. 


CASH OK DELIVEKY. 


183 


The faqade was a blaze of light. Long lines of glitter- 
ing gas-jets festooned the cornices, and above the principal 
entrance the name of the operetta appeared in letters of 
flame. 

It was a brilliant affair, this reopening of the Fantasies 
Lyriques, which had been closed for six months — and the 
pit and upper galleries were already crowded, though the 
fashionables were but just beginning to arrive. Private 
coupes were dashing up to the door laden with gentlemen 
in evening dress, so it was evident that the colonel had ex- 
cited the curiosity of his friends among the club men to the 
highest pitch, since they had shortened their dinners for 
fear of missing the new diva's first appearance on the stage. 

The operetta that was to retrieve Cochard's fortunes was 
the work of a talented composer, but the plot, unfortunate- 
ly, was rather old-fashioned. It was a sort of spectacular 
drama — one of those that occur in an imaginary country 
ruled by a Queen Tohubohu XXV., or by a King Potiron 
XXXVI. The author of the libretto had entitled it the 
“Isle of the Birds," and the plot even surpassed other 
productions of the same kind in silliness and absurdity. 
It was a wonder that the composer had succeeded in find- 
ing pretty airs to accompany such nonsensical words. 

Robert had heard all this through M. de Mornac, and 
also through Violette, who was not altogether pleased with 
her role, nor with her costumes, but who hoped that the 
music would redeem the words; and the colonel did not 
doubt it. 

Becherel was less confident, however; and some remarks 
he heard as he entered the theater did not tend to reassure 
him. 

“ The f Isle of the Birds/ " sneered one of the fashion- 
able gentlemen who crowded by him. “ What an absurd 
title! Why didn't they call it the ‘ Isle of the Par- 
tridges'?" 

At any other time Robert would probably have agreed 


184 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


with the speaker, but he was thinking only of Violette 
now; and anything said against the theater in which she 
was about to sing affected him like a personal insult. t 

The house was small, but it had been freshly painted 
and decorated; and none of its habitues had ever seen it 
, graced by an equally brilliant audience. Robert had con- 
siderable difficulty in reaching his seat, which was in the 
third row of orchestra-chairs; and to do so he was obliged 
to crowd by Gustave Piton, who was sitting beside a fellow 
speculator and talking at the top of his voice as usual, 
i The former comrades exchanged no sign of recognition* 
however. The breach was final. 

Several loges on the right of the stage were already occu- 
pied by fashionably dressed gentlemen who evidently be- 
longed to the upper ten. These must be friends of the 
colonel, who had come to applaud; but on the other side of 
the stage were several members of the demi-monde , and 
Robert, who knew two or three of them by sight, strongly 
suspected them of being hostile to th % debutante, and he 
could not doubt their intentions when he discovered Julia 
Pannetier among them in a gorgeous toilet. 

In the dress circle there was a neutral assemblage, made 
up of respectable citizens attracted by the advertising that 
had been bestowed on the piece and the actress, a number 
of young men proud of witnessing a first performance, and 
a large number of ladies. Upon this now neutral party, 
which was much more numerous than either of the others, 
the success of the piece really depended, for it would fail 
or succeed according as these persons joined the friendly or 
hostile factions. 

Becherel next devoted his attention to the occupants of 
the orchestra-chairs. Galimas sat enthroned in the first 
row — Galimas in full evening dress, with his hair elabor- 
ately curled. 

Had he come to hiss Violette? Robert almost hoped so, 
for that would give him an excellent opportunity to revive 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


185 


their old quarrel ; but he suspected, on the contrary, that 
the broker intended to applaud, and in such a manner as 
to attract the attention of the young singer he had pre- 
viously met in the Countess de Malvoisine's drawing- 
room. 

Robert could not prevent him from doing so, but he 
mentally resolved to watch him, especially after the per- 
formance, and to compel him to leave if he ventured to lie 
in wait for Violet te at the private entrance. 

The colonel's predictions were verified. Robert was 
already jealous of his neighbors, and felt strongly inclined 
to watch the manner in which Violette's smiles were dis- 
tributed among the audience. 

The signal for the rising of the curtain was given. The 
orchestra began a lively overture and the curtain rose upon 
a stage setting intended to represent the Isle of the Birds. 
Upon the sea-shore in the shade of some superb tropical 
trees, sat his majesty. King Vulture I., surrounded by his 
court. His prime minister, the grand duke, and the chief 
of the powerful Owl tribe was kneeling before the throne 
awaiting his royal master's commands. 

Queen Guinea Hen was seated beside her august spouse; 
and guards in the shap>e of red and blue peacocks, and 
maids of honor in the form of doves surrounded the royal 
couple. The costumes were original; the doves were all 
pretty girls, and the odd mise-eu-scene was greeted with a 
murmur of approval. 

The debutante was not on the stage; but Robert knew 
that she would soon make her appearance, and his heart 
throbbed violently. 

It is needless to say that he hardly heard King Vulture 
when that winged monarch advanced to the front of the 
stage to exjilain the cause of his troubles to his wife and 
subjects. The music at his palace had been completely 
disorganized by the flight of his chief singer, a volatile Tit- 
mouse, who had just eloped with a disreputable Goldfinch. 


186 


GASH ON DELIVERY. 


A substitute must be found at once, and all the birds in 
the kingdom were commanded to give an immediate exhibi- 
tion of their vocal powers, to the great dismay of Queen 
Guinea Hen, who feared that her royal husband would fall 
in love with the successful candidate. 

Suddenly the door of one of the most conspicuous boxes 
opened noisily, and everybody turned to glance at the new- 
comers. The first to appear in sight was Mme. de Malvoi- 
sine, blazing with diamonds, and outrageously decolletk 
Mile, des Andrieux followed her closely, and they both seated 
themselves in the front of the box, spreading out their 
dresses and overturning chairs and foot-stools, to the great 
annoyance of the other spectators. 

Becherel turned pale on seeing these ladies. He had 
almost hoped that they would not come, but now he could 
no longer blind himself to the fact that Violette would 
have their bitter animosity to contend with. He noticed, 
too, that instead of devoting their attention to the stage 
they began to gaze about the hall as if in search of the 
friends they had convoked to hiss the debutante . Her- 
minia even distributed little nods here and there among 

the audience: and Becherel saw that the most friehdiv of 

' »/ 

all was addressed to Julia Pannetier, who sat enthroned in 
a box nearly opposite. Evidently there was a complete 
understanding between the two ladies; they had their de- 
voted adherents, too, among the audience; and Herminia 
was looking for them through her lorgnette as a general 
reviews his soldiers before a battle to satisfy himself that 
each man is in his place. 

In the meantime King Vulture had resumed his tirade, 
but it was soon interrupted by the hurried entrance of a 
sea-gull who announced that two unknown birds, that 
sung very sweetly, had just been driven by a tempest upon 
the rocky shore of the island. His majesty gave orders 
that they should immediately be brought into his presence, 
and four superb parrots left the group of guards only to 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


187 


reappear almost instantly, escorting the strangers — a night- 
ingale and a linnet. 

The nightingale was, of course, the tenor of the Fantasies 
Lyriques, the idol of the Boulevard du Temple, who had 
formerly been on excellent terms with Julia Pannetier. 

The linnet was the debutante, and a murmur of admira- 
tion greeted her- entrance. 

Her costume became her well, and though it was very 
modest, it displayed her beauty to great advantage. Her 
large dark eyes sparkled brilliantly from beneath her black 
velvet hood, a closely fitting gray bodice revealed her lithe 
and graceful form, and the skirt was just short enough to 
show a neat ankle and a dainty little foot incased in gray 
boots with tiny bird claws at the ends. 

Led by the nightingale, she came forward with bowed 
head as befitted a linnet who had ventured into a strange 
land without a passport; but when King Vulture asked, 
“ What brings you to my kingdom, young strangers?” she 
slowly lifted her head and her eyes fairly illuminated the 
hall. 

The leader of the claque had no need to give the signal 
for applause. It burst forth simultaneously in every part 
of the hall, and it lasted so long that Violette almost lost 
her self-possession. She had not expected such an ovation, 
and her joy overcame her. 

Herminia turned green with envy, and Julia pretended 
to sneer. 

Robert was delighted with this triumph, but he realized 
that it was, as yet, only a triumph of beauty; and he asked 
himself anxiously what effect her voice would produce — the 
clear and melodious voice that stirred the depths of his 
inmost heart whenever she spoke. 

She had only two or three sentences to utter before she 
sung, and she said them without the slightest embarrass- 
ment. 

She explained to the king that she had come from a dis- 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


'188 

tant land with the nightingale, the companion of her child- 
hood; that they were traveling about the world together, 
earning their living by singing, and that having ventured 
upon the sea the vessel had been driven ashore by a terrible 
storm, and they had escaped death only by a miracle. 

Then the good-natured king of the island, having asked 
her to give him a specimen of her vocal powers, she began 
her grand morceau of the first act, upon which her whole 
operatic career probably depended. 

It was a highly original and very difficult aria that the 
composer had written expressly for her — a sort of romanza 
in which she related her misfortunes with a series of trills 
and runs in which she imitated the song of the bird she 
represented at the end of each couplet, and ending with a 
prayer addressed to Vulture I. 4 4 Pity, pity the poor lin- 
net.” 

It was a grand success. The applause was so loud and 
so prolonged that the tenor who impersonated the nightin- 
gale was obliged to wait at least five minutes before he 
could sing in his turn. At last, the applause having 
abated, he had opened his lips to begin, when a loud hiss 
resounded, as a clap of thunder sometimes resounds in 
summer from a cloudless sky. It came from the upper 
gallery, that is to say, from one of the cheap seats, but 
Becherel trembled lest this hostile demonstration would 
encourage some of Violette’s other enemies below to hiss 
her. 

Everybody looked up to see who the offender was. Rob- 
ert did the same, and had the unspeakable satisfaction of 
hearing cries of 44 Put the rascal out!” 44 Out with him!” 
and of seeing a shower of blows fall on the delinquent, who 
defended himself stoutly, but was finally hustled out. 

Before he disappeared, however, Becherel had had time 
to catch a glimpse of him, and, to his profound astonish- 
ment, he fancied he recognized his groom, Jean, in the de- 
linquent. He was probably mistaken, however. Jean had 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


18 J 


asked his permission to remain out late this evening, it is 
true; but how very improbable it was that the boy would 
have paid to attend the theater instead of spending the 
evening in a wine-shop with his friend. Besides, even if 
he had taken it into his head to enter the Fantasies Lyr- 
iques, he certainly would not have ventured to interrupt 
the performance. 

The audience seemed resolved to atone for this act of dis- 
courtesy, however, for the applause burst forth again, 
though it is needless to say that Herminia and her friend, 
Julia Panne tier, took no part in it. 

On the contrary, they were eagerly gazing up in the gal- 
lery, as if hoping that the disorder there was going to con- 
tinue, and that the young man’s examjile would be fol- 
lowed by his neighbors. 

Galimas had taken the debutante’s j>art, and was now 
applauding in the most vehement manner, partly to show 
his enthusiasm, but principally to attract Violette’s atten- 
tion. 

She was not even thinking of him, however; though she 
had not lost her wits, by any means. On the contrary, 
she waited with wonderful calmness for the confusion to 
subside, and her eyes meeting those of Kobert, she smiled 
to reassure him. 

It was a violation of their compact; but he was not 
offended. He thanked her, indeed, with a slight nod of the 
head, and the telegraphing stopped there. 

The tenor now sung his air, which was less rapturously 
received than that of Violette, however. The king imme- 
diately appointed the linnet chief court-singer, and a 
stormy conversation ensued between Vulture I. and his 
queen, who was already jealous of the young stranger. 
The first act ended with a chorus by the doves, accompany- 
ing the refrain of a short song rendered by Violette with 
exquisite taste, and the applause it elicited was interrupted 
by no hostile demonstration this time. 


190 


CASH Ols DELIVERY. 


The debutante's success was assured. Robert, who was 
overwhelmed with joy, went out to get a breath of fresh 
air, and the remarks he overheard in the corridor only in- 
creased his delight. 

“ The piece will run for at least a hundred nights,'' re- 
marked one gentleman. 

“ Thanks to the debutante , for the piece itself is stujfid. 
I never saw a prettier girl. And what an exquisite voice. 
It’s as clear as crystal . 99 

“ A new diva is born to us,” said a noted critic, gravely. 

Becherel loDged to embrace him, but he restrained him- 
self, and ascended to the foyer, in the hope of meeting M. 
de Mornac, for the suspicions that had haunted him before 
he came to the theater were now entirely dispelled, and he 
no longer doubted that the anonymous letter was a tissue 
of impudent falsehoods and atrocious calumnies. 

Seeing no familiar faces, however, he left the foyer, and 
was about to descend the stairs to resume liis seat in the 
orchestra, when in the corridor leading to the first tier of 
boxes, he found himself directly behind a gentleman who 
had a lady on his arm. He did not recognize them at first, 
for he could see only their backs, but it seemed to him that 
this was not the first time he had heard the gentleman’s voice. 

He did not think of trying to listen to what they were 
saying, and it was almost in spite of himself that he heard 
a few words that aroused his suspicions. 

“ How enraged I am!” said the lady. “ This affair will 
cause me an attack of illness, I do believe. Have the asses 
that applaud her no ears? A simpleton that doesn’t know 
how r to carry herself on the stage, and who flats atrocious- 
ly! Men are idiots, upon my word!” 

“ It has taken you a long time to find it out, my dear,” 
replied the gentleman, coolly. 4 4 1 predicted all this, you 
remember. ’ ’ 

<c But you promised me that the piece should not go on\ 
to the end, recollect. ” 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


191 


“ Well, we have only reached the end of the first act, and 
there are three of them. ” 

u The other two will be just like the first. They will 
yell themselves hoarse every time she sings, and throw- 
bouquets at her and recall her a dozen times! And the fa- 
mous cabal on which you counted. What about that? Not 
a hiss — yes, just one; and I know who gave that. He did 
it to please me; but the others don’t dare to open their 
mouths for fear theyTl be put out, chicken-hearted creat- 
ures! They are all cowards, even Florimond, the tenor. 
He swore to me that he would make her miss all her effects, 
and he is evidently as big a fool about her as all the rest.’* 
“ What else could you expect, my dear? She is very 
pretty, and has a great deal of talent, unquestionably. Ma- 
demoiselle des Andrieux pretends to the contrary; but — ” 

“ So the girl is to succeed, I suppose, and all the news- 
papers will be chanting her praises to-morrow, and indulg- 
ing in all sorts of odious comparisons. They will say that 
Cochard has done wisely to engage her in my place. If 
this is all you can say to console me, you had better go 
back where you came from, but I warn you that I shall not 
remain until the close of the performance. I have had 

a. 

enough of hearing them yell and clap their hands. ” 

s{ Come, come; don’t be foolish! You know very well 
that I don’t intend this girl to take your place, if I can help 
it, and that I’ve a grudge against Cochard. To close his 
theater, and insure the failure of his new singer, I am. 
ready to employ strong measures, if necessarv — ” 

“ What measures? What do you intend to do?” 

“ I will explain. In the first place, I — ” 

Robert did not hear the rest of the sentence, however, 
for they had reached the head of the staircase, and the 
crowd had divided into two currents, one of which contin- 
ued in the direction of the boxes, while the other made its 
way down the rather steep staircase. 

In less than ten seconds, Becherel found himself sepa- 


192 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


rated from the lady and gentleman, and as they had seen 
him, and as he knew what to expect now, he did not think 
it worth while to follow them. 

Chance had placed him directly on the heels of Marcau- 
dier and his lovely Julia. He had had the pleasure of 
hearing them deplore Violette^s success, and bitterly as 
they hated her, Robert did not believe that they had it in 
their power to do her any serious injury now. 

It was with a tranquil mind, consequently, that Robert 
resumed his seat. Galimas was already in his, casting 
complacent glances around him. 

Herminia and her mother were still occupying their box, 
and in a few moments Beeherel saw Marcaudier enter it. 

The ladies received Cash on Delivery very graciously. 
Herminia made him take a seat beside her, and was soon 
engaged in an animated conversation with him; but just 
then the leader of the orchestra rapped on his desk to an- 
nounce the beginning of the second act and Robert forgot 
everything else in thinking of Violette. 

"When she reappeared upon the stage, there was such a 
frantic burst of applause that the ceiling seemed about to 
fall. The debutante had changed her costume; she was 
still dressed as a linnet, but as a court linnet— in silk and 
velvet, and with diamonds everywhere, on her neck, in her 
ears, and in her hair — the superb paste jewels furnished by 
the manager, and they enhanced her beauty wonderfully. 

The second act was only one long triumph for her. She 
was on the stage all the time — now singing an aria that she 
rendered with charming abandon and perfect taste — now 
carrying on a lively conversation with Vulture I., who 
wished to seat her, upon his throne — and with Queen 
Guinea Hen, who was plotting to deliver her into the hands 
of the owls, the executioners of the Bird Kingdom. Vio- 
lette played her part with wonderful skill and vivacity. 
Her acting was as good as her singing. She was evidently 
born for the stage. 


CASH ON DELIVER!’. 


193 


In the midst of the transports excited by the brilliant 
successes of the gir] he loved, Becherel was disturbed by 
the sound of subdued talking on his right, and, turning, 
he was not a little surprised to see one of the ushers stand- 
ing in the next aisle beckoning to him, and calling atten- 
tion to a bit of paper that he held in his hand. 

Irritated by this pantomime, the spectators in the same 
row with Robert were beginning to give unmistakable signs 
of displeasure. 

The words, “ Silence!” and “ Hush!” uttered by some 
of the least patient among the spectators seemed to in- 
timidate the young man, and, seeing that Becherel 
showed no inclination to move, he devised another wav to 
fulfill the commission which had been intrusted to him, 
and for which he had doubtless been liberally paid. 

Whispering a few words in the ear of the gentleman who 
occupied the seat nearest the aisle, he handed him the 
paper, and this gentleman passed it in turn to his next 
neighbor, who did the same, after glancing at the super- 
scription, and so the note passed from hand to hand until 
it reached Becherel, who took it with some hesitation, and 
saw that it bore, not his name, but these words written in 
pencil: 

“ For the gentleman occupying seat No. 89 in the 3d 
row of orchestra-chairs/' 

Who could have sent this missive? Evidently some one 
who was in the hall or in the theater, Yiolette, perhaps; 
that is, unless the sender was Galimas or Marcaudier. 

Becherel, who was rather alarmed, opened it, and had 
some difficulty in deciphering the following lines: 

“ Your mother has just arrived in Paris. It seems that 
she has written to you, but that you have failed to receive 
her letter. Finding no one at the station to meet her, or 
in your lodgings on the Boulevard Poissonnicre, she sent 


194 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


your porter to my rooms in search of you, and my valet 
advised him to come here. I have just seen him, and told 
him that you would return home immediately. Your 
mother is waiting for you in the porter's lodge, for he 
hasn't the key to your rooms, and your groom has gone 
out. You must not keep her waiting there. Hasten home 
without a minute's loss of time, and return as soon as you 
have installed her comfortably there. Tell her some story 
that will convince her it is necessary for you to absent your- 
self for an hour or two. 

“You. will be able to return to the theater before the 
close of the third act. Yiolette is counting upon your es- 
cort home, after the performance; in the meantime, she 
begs me not to leave her for an instant, so it is impossible 
for me to get away from the theater, even for a few mo- 
ments. To-morrow, I will see Madame de Becherel, and 
speak a good word for you. 

“ Everything here is progressing as favorably as heart 

could desire. Your little friend's success is assured, and 
% 

what a success! In less than two years she will be engaged 
as prima donna at the Grand Opera House. You ought 
to be well pleased. I am jubilant." 

• 10 i r ’ • 

For a signature there was only an initial, an M, but this 
note could have come only from the colonel. 

Well pleased? The poor lover was hardly that! The 
inopportune arrival of his mother had spoiled all the joy 
caused by Violette's triumph, but it is only just to say tint 
he did not hesitate to follow M. de Mornac's advice. 

His darling was on the stage, but the colonel would, of 
course, tell Violette why her lover had left in the middle of 
the act, and he knew her well enough to feel sure that she 
would forgive him for this apparent breach of courtesy 
toward her; so he rose to make his way to the door. 

This was no easy matter, however, for he was some dis- 
tance from the aisle, and he was obliged to crowd by at 


CASH OH DELIVER, Y. 


195 


least a dozen gentlemen. Indeed,, he was scarcely upon 
his feet before cries of “ Down in front!” and “ Sit down!” 
resounded behind him. Such a commotion was created 
that the actors paused for a moment, and Robert, before 
reaching the door, had the misery of seeing Violette turn 
pale and pause in the song she had just begun, but it was 
too late to recoil now, so he hastened on, followed by the 
black looks of the audience. 

On reaching the street, he jumped into a carriage, prom- 
ising the coachman a princely pourboire if he would drive 
like mad, ‘and, stimulated by a hope of receiving the 
promised reward, the driver whipped up his horse so ener- 
getically that he was not ten minutes in reaching his desti- 
nation. 

Robert, without stopping to pay him, rushed into the 
hall, and was not a little surprised to find his porter seated 
by the fire, quietly reading his evening paper. 

On being questioned by Robert, he declared that no lady 
had been there, that he knew nothing about M. de Mor- 
nac, and that he had not left his lodge that evening. Bech- 
erel was so sure of the truth of the statements contained 
in his letter that it was a long time before he could be con- 
vinced that some one had played a trick on him. When 
he did come to this conclusion he ceased to attribute the 
letter to the colonel, for M. de Mornac was a perfect gen- 
tleman, who would have scorned to play such a trick upon 
any one, and above all to drag in the name of Mme. 
de Becherel, for whom he entertained a profound re- 
spect. 

Finally it occurred to him that the perpetrator of the • 
joke might be his former friend, Gustave Piton. Gustave 
knew that Mme. de Becherel thought of visiting Paris, and 
was quite capable of one of those rough practical jokes so 
common among brokers; and the mere suspicion so exas- 
perated Robert that he resolved to insult him at the very 
first opportunity, and as one might present itself that very 


196 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


evening at the theater, he jumped into the carriage and 
ordered the driver to take him back to the Fantasies 
Lvriques with all possible speed, unmindful of the aston- 
ished face of his porter, who evidently suspected him of 
having suddenly lost his mind. 

“ There is one good thing about it,” Becherel said to 
himself; “ I shall not miss the third act, and my return 
will reassure Violette, who must be wondering what has 
become of me. After the performance I shall show this 
note to the colonel at the same time with the other 
anonymous letter. Two anonymous letters in one day are 
certainly a little too much. I no longer do him the in- 
justice to believe that he wrote either of them, but 1 want 
to show them to him nevertheless. ” 

Becherel reached the theater just as the enVvacte was 
ending, and hastened to his seat so as not to excite the dis- 
pleasure of the audience a second time. 

The countess and her daughter were in their box, but 
neither Marcaudier nor Gustave were anywhere to be seen. 
Julia Pannetier, on the contrary, was parading her charms 
in her loge, surrounded by her friends, and Robert fancied 
she wore a triumphant air; so triumphant in fact, that he 
began to wonder if Violette had not been hissed at the 
close of the second act. 

He also perceived that the audience was murmuring be- 
cause the curtain did not rise, and Robert, surprised at the 
delay, began to fear that there had been some accident. 
Certainly something of an extraordinary nature must be 
going on behind the curtain, for the musicians were all in 
their places only waiting for their leader to give the signal 
to begin. 

Becherel noticed, too, that the fair Herminia was smil- 
ing maliciously, and exchanging signs with Julia Panne- 
tier. These amiable creatures were doubtless rejoicing 
over a contretemps that would be almost sure to make the 
audience less favorably disposed toward the debutante, but 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


19 ? 


they showed no more astonishment than if this incident 
had formed a part of the evening's programme. 

At last, just as Robert was beginning to feel seriously 
alarmed, the signal resounded. It was greeted with gen- 
eral applause, but as the curtain slowly rose the hubbub 
gave place, as if by enchantment, to a profound silence. 

There appeared before the eyes of the breathless audi- 
ence a superb stage setting, representing the palace of the 
king of the birds — a stage setting that cost poor Oochard a 
small fortune — but great was the surprise of the audience 
on beholding there neither Vulture I., surrounded by his 
guards, nor Queen Guinea Hen, attended by her maids of 
honor. Not an actor nor an actress was to be seen; the 
stage was deserted, and magnificent as was the palace, that 
alone would not satisfy the already irritated audience. 

In a moment there advanced from one of the flies to the 
foot-lights a gentleman dressed in black, whose face wore 
the grave and contrite expression of a stage manager who 
is obliged to make an unpleasant announcement. 

Robert, though greatly agitated, flattered himself that 
he must have come to ask the public's indulgence for an 
artist seized with a sudden hoarseness, and fondly hoped 
that the victim was not Violette. 

The stage manager began as follows: 

Si Ladies and Gentlemen — We have the misfortune to 
announce that the management finds it absolutely impossi- 
ble to continue the performance. " 

There were exclamations of disappointment, but before 
breaking into imprecations the crowd waited for an ex- 
planation. 

“ With an unpardonable forgetfulness of her duties as 
an artist, and of the respect she owes the public. Made- 
moiselle Thabor — " 

“ Oh, oh! what? What is the matter with her? Is she 
ill?" cried eager voices. 

“ Mademoiselle Thabor, dressed, and all ready to go on 


198 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


the stage, hastily left the theater without warning any one, 
and in spite of our efforts, we have been unable to find 
her. ” ' 

The bursting of a thunder-bolt in this handsomely 
decorated hall would not have caused greater confusion and 
excitement than this startling announcement. The close 
of it was drowned in the uproar, and very few persons 
among the audience heard that the management were will- 
ing to return the money unless purchasers of tickets would 
prefer to hear the role of the Linnet given by another actress. 

The spectators rose en masse , and projectiles of every 
sort fell thick and fast upon the unfortunate stage man- 
ager, who had barely time to make his escape before the 
curtain fell. And really the audience had abundant 
grounds for dissatisfaction, for never before in Paris had 
an actress been known to disappear during a performance, 
above all during a first performance. Such things may 
happen occasionally in foreign countries or in distant 
provinces, but Parisians do not take kindly to jokes of this 
kind, and if the interior of the Fantasies Lyriques escaped 
demolition that night it was only because the kind Provi- 
dence that watches over the destinies of theatrical man- 
agers interposed in Cochard’s behalf. As it was, the 
policemen and guards on duty had all they could do to 
check the disorder, and prevent accidents while the public 
was boisterously vacating the hall. 

Robert could think only of the missing Violette. What 
madness had seized her? Had she become frightened, or 
had she suddenly lost her reason? And above all, what 
had become of her? His first impulse was to fly to the 
assistance of the woman he loved. He forgot that he 
would arrive too late, so he rushed madly toward the door. 
By jumping over the seats he succeeded in reaching the 
oorridor, and from there fought his way fiercely through 
the crowd to the street, which he reached without his over- 
coat, but not without manv bruises. 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


199 


He did not stop to hear what people were saying there. 
He knew where the private entrance was, and he rushed 
frantically toward that. 

At the door he encountered a crowd of machinists and 
figurants who were anathematizing the artist whose flight 
threw them out of employment; but he forced his way 
through them by dint of blows that were returned with in- 
terest, and finally reached the greenroom where Cochard, 
his stage manager, Florimond, and several others were 
raving and tearing their hair like men demented. 

The name of Marie Thabor was upon every lip, accom- 
panied by very unflattering epithets, and when they saw 
Becherel appear— Becherel, who was a stranger to all of 
them — they rushed upon him to drive him from the 
room. 

He shook them off, however, and said, turning to the 
manager: 

“ 1 am a friend of Colonel Mornac’s. Where is Made- 
moiselle Thabor?” 

“ Go and ask your friend the colonel,” replied Cochard , 
who was nearly frantic. “ He left about a quarter of an 
hour before she did. He has met her perhaps. Ah! he 
can surely boast of having got me in a pretty scrape. 1 
am ruined! He will lose a hundred thousand francs, but 
that doesn’t do me any good.” 

44 But what has happened?” 

4 4 This is what has happened. That creature thought it 
would be a fine joke to allow herself to be enticed away by 
some man in the audience, some enemy of mine undoubted- 
ly. Ah, well! they shall both pay dearly for it, for I will 
find her, and bring suit against her. I will place my 
damages at three hundred thousand francs, and the gentle- 
man shall pay it.” 

4 4 What is the man’s name?” 

44 How do I know? Do you suppose she made me her 
confidant? She had more than one lover, I suppose. You 


200 


CASH ON DELIVEKY. 


must hunt for him in the crowd. But I have something 
else to do than stand talking with you. Clear out of 
here!” 

Becherel, frautic with rage, was about to leap at the 
manager’s throat when the colonel entered just in time to 
prevent it* but, unfortunately, Becherel J s wrath was not 
appeased, but only diverted into a new channel. 

“ You must know where she is,” he cried, savagely. 

“ What do you mean?” retorted the colonel, straighten- 
ing himself up, “ and why do you venture to address me 
in such a tone?” 

“ Violette left the theater with you.” 

“ Are you mad?” 

“ And I call upon you to tell me where you have taken 
her.” 

“ And I advise you to be silent.” 

“ So you do not even deny that you are her lover?” 

“ This is really going a little too far, and if you think I 
will allow a boy like you to insult me, you — ” 

Bober t, now quite beside himself, raised his hand to 
strike his supposed rival, but the colonel seized it in mid- 
air and checked the movement that was about to termi- 
nate in a blow. 

“ I consider it received,” he said, coldly. “ You will 
now come with me, and we will settle our differences. 
My dear Cochard,” continued the colonel, without de- 
parting from his usual calmness, “ I am truly sorry for 
what has happened, and I consider myself bound to in- 
demnify you for the loss my protege has caused you. For- 
give me for having recomnjpnded her to you. I might 
have foreseen what has happened. The devil really seems 
to have had a hand in it. I had gone out for a few min- 
utes to smoke a cigar when the girl decamped. Had I 
been here I could have prevented her from going, I am 
sure, but the mischief is done now, and I repeat that 1 will 
do my best to repair it. ” 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


201 


“ If she had only waited until after the close of the per- 
formance !” moaned the unfortunate manager; “ but a fit 
of madness seems to have seized her. The woman who 
dressed her tells me that just as the girl was leaving her 
dressing-room to go on the stage a note was handed her. 
She read it, and walked straight on, without saying a word 
— only instead of entering the flies she went down into 
the street. The concierge saw her pass out, and two 
mechanics, who were smoking their pipes on the sidewalk, 
saw her enter a carriage that was waiting for her.” 

“ And she entered it just as she was — in her stage costume. 
I just questioned them, and also the woman who dressed her* 
There is only one point upon which lam still in the dark, 
and that is the cause of her sudden departure.” 

“ The cause! It is not difficult to guess that. She w r as 
the mistress of some enemv of mine, who offered her a 
large sum of money to play this trick on me. It was this 
same scoundrel who sent the carriage for her, and wrote to 
her that the moment had come for leaving the theater* 
He knew very well what he was doing, the villain!” 

■ “ Do you suspect any one in particular?” 

“ No, I have a host of enemies, but I have no idea which 
of them it was.” 

“ We shall find out, never fear! and I will see that he is 
punished as he deserves. In the meantime, my dear fel- 
low, you had better take the thing philosophically. I will 
see you again to-morrow.” 

Then turning to Becherel, who looked crest-fallen 
enough, M. de Mornac said, coldly: 

“ Now, sir, I have an explanation to ask of you. Will 
you have the goodness to follow me?” 

The witnesses of this scene had not uttered a word, and 
they gladly beheld the colonel depart with the young 
stranger, whom they took for one of the missing artist’s 
jilted lovers. 

Robert followed the colonel in silence. He was begin- 


202 CASH ON DELIVERY. 

ning to see that he had made a great mistake in accusing 
M. de Mornac, and to deeply regret his rashness. 

“ Sir,” began the colonel, as soon as they reached the 
street. Then, with a sudden change of tone, he continued: 
“ Ho, it was all very well to address you in that formal 
manner before those people, but it is not worth while when 
we are alone. I prefer to talk to you just as I am in the 
habit of doing. You will gain nothing by it, however, for 
your insolence is likely to cost you dear. I now propose to 
walk home by way of the boulevards, and you can accom- 
pany me as far as the Faubourg Poissonniere, as that will 
give me plenty of time to say what I have to say to you.” 

“ As you please, colonel/* replied Becherel, meekly. 

“ In the first place,” remarked the colonel, “you are 
not to suppose that I bear you no ill will for your insult 
just now. I am more than twice your age, and you are 
the son of an old friend, but that will not prevent me from 
fighting with you. You need a lesson, and you shall have 
it. You will receive a visit from my seconds to-morrow. 
Now will you have the goodness to explain why you 
ventured to publicly accuse me of a most infamous act? 
The absurd idea that I was that girPs lover never entered 
your brain unaided. Some one must have insinuated as 
much to you.** 

“You are right. I received an anonymous letter, 
and — ** 

“ I suspected as much. And you were fool enough to 
believe it!** 

“ I did not believe it at first; but during the performance 
I received another letter announcing that my mother had 
just arrived in the city, and that she was waiting for me at 
my rooms. I thought this note came from you. ** 

“ Indeed! Couldn*t you see that the handwriting was 
not miner** 

“ You have never written to me.** 

“ That is true. Well, after you received this letter — ?** 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 203 

“ I left the theater before the conclusion of the second 
act, and taking a carriage, drove home with all possible 
speed. On my arrival there my porter assured me that no 
one had called in my absence. I saw that somebody must 
- have been playing a practical joke on me, so I drove back 
to the theater, where I arrived just as it was time for the 
third act to begin. You know the rest. ” 

“ No, I do not. ” 

“ Well, when the stage manager announced that Yiolette 
was missing I lost my senses, and rushed out of the hall 
and around into the greenroom, where I found Cochard, 
who told me that you left the theater about the same time 
that Yiolette did.” 

“And from that you unhesitatingly concluded that I 
had carried her off. You are rather rash in your conclu- 
sions, young man . 99 

“ I was so frantic with grief and rage that I had lost the 
power to reason . 99 

“ Then you are now convinced that you made a mistake, 
and that I had nothing to do with your divinity’s disap- 
pearance, I suppose?” 

“ I am so sure of it that I beseech you to assist me in 
finding her.” 

“You certainly amuse me! You must be pretty well 
acquainted with your Dulcinea, and know whether she is . 
capable of being enticed away by any man who is richer 
than yourself.” 

“ No, I am sure she is not! I would stake my life upon 
her honor.” 

“ You talk like the fond lover that you are! One can 
never answer for a woman. I am convinced, however, that 
this one, like yourself, has been made the dupe of some 
scoundrel who was resolved to ruin her. She, too, received 
a letter, it seems.” 

“ Yes; and she saw me leave the theater while she was 
on the stage.” 


204 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


£ £ 


Then all is explained. You were enticed out so she 
would notice your departure; and then she was probably 
informed that you had been run over by a carriage, or that 
you had broken your leg, or something of the kind, and 
wanted to see her immediately.” 

“ And it was Marcaudier who wrote all three of the let- 
ters. I understand now why, in the one received before 
going to the theater, he told me that the evening was going 
to end badly for me. ” 

“ It is quite probable that he was the writer; but he cer- 
tainly had accomplices — male as well as female. First, 
Herminia and her mother, and also some gentleman who 
had taken a fancy to Violette.” 

“ Yes, Galimas!” exclaimed Bobert, “He was in the 
hall. But what makes you think so?” 

“ Because Marcaudier, though he is certainly a scoun- 
drel, did not entice Violette away in order to murder her. 
He must have made a bargain with Galimas to take the 
young lady off his hands, and they both hoped that she 
would allow herself to be tempted by the broker’s brilliant 
offers. They are even capable of keeping her a prisoner 
until she decides; but they will have to release her some 
day or other unless she concludes to accept the dishonor- 
able proposals of this rich speculator.” 

“ Oh, colonel!” 

“ Not that I think she will; but it is well to be prepared 
for the worst; and if that should come to pass there will be 
nothing left for you to do but forget her. But if, on the 
contrary, she refuses, they will find themselves obliged to 
release her; and in that case she had better enter no com- 
plaint against them. You will even be the first to recom- 
mend silence. I even think that the best thing you can do 
for *he present is to remain perfectly quiet.” 

“ And you will do nothing. You will allow-—” 

“ I will make inquiries about all these people. A 
former non-commissioned officer in my regiment now holds 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


205 


an important position in the secret service, and through 
him I can find out all about this Marcaudier and the capi- 
talist who backs him — that pretended uncle of Herminia, 
whom no one has ever seen. When I have secured this in- 
formation I will not refuse to lend you a helping hand, 
though you must not forget that you owe me reparation for 
your insult just now! I shall content myself with wound- 
ing you in the arm, however, so you will get off quite 
easily, after all. But I see that you lost your overcoat in 
the crowd. It ^s as cold as Greenland; and I don’t want 
you to have an attack of pleurisy. I have said all that I 
have to say to you, so you had better take a carriage and 
get home as fast as you can. You will hear from me to- 
morrow. ” 

Robert watched M. de Mornac walk away without daring 
to offer him a hand. After doubting the loyalty of his 
best friend, he now began to doubt Violette’s innocence. 


CHAPTER VIII. 

After her arrival at the theater, about the same time 
that Robert de Becherel was finishing his dinner on the 
Champs Elysees, Violette passed successfully through all 
the tribulations that await a debutante. She endured with 
heroic patience the encouragement of the manager — en- 
couragement that is entirely superfiuous at the last moment 
— the recommendations of the author and composer to take 
particular care about such and such a passage in her role — 
the premature and rather ironical congratulations of the 
other performers, the grumbling of the costumer, who 
positively insisted upon shortening the skirt of her dress, 
•and the slowness of the hair-dresser, who seemed deter- 
mined never to finish her task. 

The colonel, had had the good sense to hold himself aloof 
until she left her dressing-room at the call of the prompter. 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


206 

and even at that trying moment he uttered only a few 
affectionate words, so she retained her presence of mind to 
such a degree that she instantly recognized Her mini a in 
her loge , and Robert in one of the orchestra-chairs. 

The applause had not agitated her, nor the hiss that re- 
sounded from the upper gallery; and at the conclusion of 
the first act she was the recipient of an enthusiastic ovation 
in the greenroom; an ovation in which M. de Mornac took 
part. But she did not seem unduly elated, and her mod- 
esty won all hearts, even those of the other performers. 

The next act passed off equally well, and her success was 
no longer doubtful, when Violette saw Robert rise and hur- 
riedly leave the hall. Then, for the first time, she became 
slightly agitated; but the curtain fell to the sound of en- 
thusiastic “ bravas!” which failed to calm the anxietv of 

%/ 

the debutante , however, for she could not imagine why 
Robert had left the theater so suddenly, and she already 
began to feel a presentiment of impending misfortune. 

She was anxious to confide her misgivings to Colonel de 
Mornac, but that gentleman was nowhere to be found. He 
had just left the theater, telling Cochard that he was going 
out to smoke a cigar, but that he would return before the 
curtain rose for the third act, so Violette finally consented 
to go up to her dressing-room. 

She was just leaving it when one of the call-boys handed 
her a note which she tore open with a trembling hand, and 
which contained only these lines, written in pencil, like the 
communication Becherel had received: 

“ Robert has just met with a serious accident. I have 
had him taken to the house of a lady friend. He insists 
upon seeing you. Come immediately. My carriage is in 
waiting to take you to him. ” 

The trap was apparent, and yet the girl allowed herself 
to be caught in it. 

She did not doubt for a moment that this message came 
from M. de Mornac. She did not ask 'herself how the ac- 


CASH OH" DELIVEKY. 


207 


cident could have occurred, or how the colonel had hap- 
pened to be on hand just at the right moment to pick up 
the injured man. She thought only of hastening to the 
bedside of the man she loved, and to see him once more 
before he died, if die he must. 

It did not even occur to her that she ought to inform the 
manager of her intentions. What good would it do? He 
would only try to detain her; and she was firmly resolved 
to respond to M. de Mornac’s summons. 

Rushing down into the street, she was met only a few 
steps from the private entrance by a servant in neat livery, 
who said, lifting his hat respectfully: 

‘ ‘ The carriage is here; and if mademoiselle will have 
the goodness to follow me — ” 

What has happened to Monsieur de Becherel?” inter- 
rupted Yiolette. 

“ A terrible accident, mademoiselle. He was knocked 
down and trampled upon by a pair of runaway horses. 
He was picked up unconscious, and they fear that his leg 
is broken.” 

“ Where is he?” 

;c Only a short distance from here, mademoiselle. Mon- 
sieur de Mornac witnessed the accident and had Monsieur 
de Becherel taken to the house of a iady who resides on the 
Quai de Yalmy. We shall be there in five minutes.” 

Yiolette had never heard of the Quai de Yalmy, but she 
knew that the colonel had a large circle of acquaintances, 
and supposing that the carriage and servants were his, she 
entered the well-appointed coupe which was standing a lit- 
tle way off without the slightest reluctance. 

The footman closed the door, climbed upon the box be- 
side the driver, and the horse started off on a swift trot 
through the Rue d’Angouleme, in the direction of the 
Canal Saint Martin. 

Just before he came to the bridge the coachman turned 
to the left, and Yiolette saw, without being really conscious 


208 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


of the fact, that she was rolling along a nearly deserted 
quay, lined with warehouses and a few dimly lighted dwell- 
ings. She could think only of Robert, and it seemed to 
her that the horse, though he was really moving at a very 
rapid pace, only crawled. 

Soon the carriage passed under an arch and into a court- 
yard, but so swiftly that Yiolette had only time to catch a 
glimpse of a two-story house and a tall gate that closed 
noisily as soon as the carriage passed. 

The footman opened the door, assisted the young lady to 
alight, ushered her into a brilliantly lighted hall, and said: 

“'Will mademoiselle have the goodness to walk up- 
stairs?” 

Yiolette needed no urging, but rushed up the white mar- 
ble steps in breathless haste. On reaching the landing she 
saw an open door directly in front of her. 

She crossed the threshold, and was not a little surprised 
to find herself in a cozy dining-room that seemed intended 
only for a tete-a-tete repast, it was so small, and contained 
so few chairs. 

A Venetian glass chandelier, in which all the candles 
were lighted, hung over an exquisitely decorated table, 
where wines that rivaled the topaz and amethyst in hue 
sparkled in cut-glass decanters. 

This dainty feast spread in a house where a dangerously 
injured man was lying astonished Yiolette, and a vague 
feeling of alarm took possession of her. 

Hastily traversing the dining-room, she entered first an 
exquisitely furnished salon and then a dainty boudoir, hung 
with pale-blue satin. 

All these rooms were brilliantly lighted, but they were 
empty. 

“ The servant was mistaken,” thought Yiolette. “ They 
must have carried Monsieur de Becherel to a room on the 
floor above. ” 

So, returning to the hall, she hurried upstairs. There 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


209 

she found more lights and another open door leading, this 
time, into a library handsomely furnished in ebony and 
gilt. Violette did not pause even to glance at the richly 
bound volumes that filled the book-cases, but hastened on 
into a bed-chamber, which was no more reassuring in its 
aspect. There were mirrors everywhere, even at the foot 
of the bed, which stood in a lace-draped alcove. Opening 
out of this chamber was the bath-room, a marvel of luxury. 
The bath-tub, table and vases were of onyx; the toilet arti- 
cles were ivory or silver. 

The very sight of this retreat convinced Violette that 
she had been basely deceived, and she now thought only of 
making her escape before the man who had decoyed her 
here presented himself. But how was she to do it? She 
had heard the porte-cochere close behind her, and she felt 
sure that the scoundrels hireling would refuse to open the 
gates at her bidding. 

She ran to the window to call for help, but unfortunately 
the window opened upon an inner court-yard where she 
saw only the coupe that had brought her here. The horses 
had already been unharnessed, and the coachman had dis- 
appeared. 

“ Ah, well! my dear, how do you like your new quar- 
ters?” asked a voice behind her. 

Violette started as if a serpent had stung her, and, turn- 
ing, found herself face to face with a man she both hated 
and despised. 

Galimas was standing before her, eying her insolently, 
with his hat on his head and a smile on his lips, an evil 
smile that made the girl shudder. 

“ What the deuce are you doing there by that open 
window?” continued the broker. ‘^You will certainly catch 
cold. Close it, and come and take a seat in this easy-chair. 
You will be much more comfortable, and we can have a 
talk. I have a host of things to say to you, for we have 
not met since you left Madame de Malvoisine’s.” 


210 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


“ Leave the house !'' said Violette, in a voice husky 
with emotion. 

4 ‘ Leave the house? Yes; I acknowledge that you have 
a perfect right to order me out, as you are in your own 
house. Yes, mademoiselle; this house and all it contains 
shall be yours to-morrow. You have only to go to my no- 
tary and sign the deed that puts you in possession of a 
piece of property that cost three hundred thousand francs, 
and that is really worth a good deal more — for it was pur- 
chased, at a great sacrifice, of a bankrupt merchant who 
built it and furnished it for his lady-love. The neighbor- 
hood is not all that could be desired, perhaps; but, as you 
will have your horses and carriages, there will be nothing 
to prevent you from going to the Bois every day. You will 
have an allowance of five thousand francs a month be- 
sides; but you know my intentions, as you have received 
my letters. '' 

“ So it was you who wrote to me?'* 

44 Of course. I am surprised that you didn't guess the 
truth at once. There are not many men in these days who 
offer a woman a handsome establishment and an income of 
sixty thousand francs — a fortune in itself, but you are 
worth it.” 

44 Wretch!” muttered Violette. 

44 What! you call me hard names? You make a great 
mistake, my dear. But perhaps you are angry with me 
for having enticed you away in the middle of the perform- 
ance. A nice trick I played on your manager, didn't I? 
Well, you needn't worry about it. If you want to try the 
stage again, you can secure a dozen engagements on much 
better terms than those offered by that sneaking Cochard. 
And I sha'n't oppose you, I promise you that, for you have 
an immense amount of talent; and it would really be a 
pity not to profit by it. Besides, I understand women, and 
know that they must be allowed to follow their inclina- 
tions in such matters. You are a born actress, so you 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


211 


ought to follow your vocation. I only ask a little grati- 
tude. I shall not be exacting, by any means, and when 
you come to know me better, you will see that Pm not a 
bad fellow at heart, and you will get used to me. Come, 
don't be so shy!" he continued, coming a step nearer. 
“ One would suppose you were afraid of me." 

“ If you come a step nearer, I will dash my brains out 
on the stone pavement below." 

Violette’s tone and gesture convinced Galimas that this 
was no idle threat; so he paused, though he did not yet ac- 
knowledge himself defeated. He told himself that he had 
to deal with a very excitable nature, and that if he attempt- 
ed to carry matters with a high hand he would only exas- 
perate Violette; so it would be much better to try to win 
her by gentle means. 

“ Be calm, I entreat you, mademoiselle," he said, in an 
entirely different tone. “ You misunderstand my inten- 
tions, I assure you." 

“Then will you allow me to leave this plac.e?" asked 
Violette, coldly. 

“ Leave this room? Why, certainly. I would even like 
you to see that the home I have prepared for you is well 
arranged. It will please you, I am sure. " 

“ I wish to leave this house, and immediately." 

“ You are not a prisoner here, I assure you. To-mor- 
row you will be perfectly free to go and come as you please. 
But at this hour of the night it would be a positive crime 
to allow you to depart. Berne mber that we are on the 
banks of the Canal Saint Martin, in a locality infested by 
vagabonds, who would certainly molest you. " 

“ That makes very little difference to me. I would rather 
be murdered than remain here." 

“ You are very hard on me: but I bear you no ill-will, 
for I am sure you will think twice before deciding upon a 
step that you would certainly regret afterward. The night 
brings counsel, you know; so make up your mind to spend 


212 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


it in your own house. I did hope to take supper with you 
here, but if my presence annoys you, I will leave you — and 
return to take breakfast with you to-morrow morning, if 
you will allow me. When you feel inclined to rise, you 
will only have to ring, and your maid will answer the sum- 
mons. I thought it best to give her leave of absence this 
evening. You will find some dresses in the wardrobe to 
make a selection from, for I presume you won’t care to re- 
main dressed as you are, though your costume is extremely 
becoming.” 

Violette had not expected to hear this man talk to her in 
this strain. It was very evident that he did not believe 
she could possibly refuse the brilliant destiny he offered 
her. This unscrupulous broker was not in the habit of 
meeting women he could not dazzle with his gold, and 
sure of triumphing eventually, he very willingly consented 
to wait; so Violette asked herself if she would not do well 
to take advantage of the respite offered her, and seek a 
means of escape in the meantime. 

4 4 And now, to convince you that I am not quite so bad 
as I appear to be, I will bid you good-evening,” continued 
Galimas. • “ We will resume this conversation to-morrow 
morning, and with me, 1 repeat, you will be as free as air, 
for I am satisfied that you would not abuse your freedom. 
It is agreed, is it not?” 

“I am grateful to you for going, but I will promise 
nothing,” replied Violette, proudly. 

“ I ask no promise from you,”- answered Galimas. “ I 
know what promises are worth. I would rather rely upon 
your voluntary conversion. ” 

And without waiting for a reply, he left the room, clos- 
ing the door behind him, but without locking it, for Vio- 
lette heard no key turn in the lock. 

The poor girl’s first impulse was to prevent his return 
by pushing the bolt, but she searched in vain for this pro- 
tecting bolt. There was none. 


CASH OH DELIVER! 


213 


In despair, she ran to the window. It was her only re- 
source, not for flight, for she would certainly be killed if 
she attempted to leap from it. 

What had become of the coarse 'parvenu who was aping 
the customs of the grands seigneurs of the old regime ? 
Had he left the house to give her time for reflection, or 
was he hiding in some corner of this hateful house, like a 
tiger that is only watching for an opportunity to spring 
upon his prey? 

She little suspected that he had gone to consult his ac- 
complice. 

Galimas was utterly corrupt at heart. He belonged to 
that class of wealthy men who firmly believe that money is 
the real king of the world, and he never hesitated to grati- 
fy a caprice, whatever it might cost him. And why should 
he hesitate, when he did not believe there was such a thing 
as virtue? Still, he had his doubts in the present instance. 
Ho woman had ever gone so far as to threaten to throw 
herself out of the window before in order to rid herself of 
his presence; besides, he had never been obliged to abduct 
any one by force before. And, though he had allowed 
himself to be persuaded into these rather violent measures, 
he had no idea of compromising himself or of getting him- 
self into serious difficulty with the authorities; so before 
going any further he wanted to know what the originator 
of this conspiracy thought of the state of affairs. 

This adviser was in the basement, waiting for Galimas to 
report. This basement contained the kitchen pantries and 
servants* rooms, but as the household of the new mistress 
was not yet organized, the allies ran no risk of being dis- 
turbed. 

“ Well?** asked Marcaudier, on seeing the broker appear. 

“ Well, I haven't been able to extort even the vaguest 
kind of a promise from her. She talks of nothing but kill- 
ing herself. Of course, I don't believe she means it, but 
it's not a very promising beginning. " 


2U 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


“ I warned you, remember/* 

V Oh! she’ll become tamer by and by/* 

“ Are you sure of it:** 

“Not absolutely; and if I thought she would always be 
as savage as she is now — ** 

“ What would you do?** 

“ I would let her alone. I*ve no desire to have my eyes 
scratched out, and I shall be sure to if this girl*s mood 
doesn*t change.** 

“ But in that case you will have to release her. ** 

“ Of course; though I should hate most mortally to do 
it, for slie*s as pretty as a pink; but I can*t detain her by 
force. ** 

“ And do you fancy that would be the end of the matter?* * 
“ Why not? She would have no special cause to com- 
plain of me, I am sure.** 

“ I differ with you. You have done her a very serious 
injury. She was on the eve of a great success, and now 
her career is ruined.** 

“ Nonsense! her mysterious disappearance will only 
serve as an advertisement.** 

“ And how about Cochard? What will he say when he 
finds out that it was you who carried off the prima donna 
who was to retrieve his fallen fortunes?** 

“ I’m not afraid of Cochard. He hasn’t a penny.” 

“ And you’re not afraid of the girl’s lover, I suppose? 
Or, perhaps, you think she’ll refrain from telling him what 
has occurred?” 

“ That country bumpkin I met at Madame de Malvoi- 
sine’s? No; I’m not afraid of him. If he thinks he has 
any just cause of complaint, I’ll fight him; besides, we 
have an old score to settle.” 

“ Oh, the fellow won’t fight with you. He will go to 
his friend. Colonel Mornac, who is a very influential man, 
and they will call on the government attorney and enter a 
formal complaint against you. Violette is not of age, rec- 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


2 15 


ollect. She is certainly not over nineteen, and the Penal 
Code punishes the forcible abduction of a minor very se- 
verely. You’re almost sure to bring up in the Court of 
Assizes. ” 

Galimas was beginning to be thoroughly frightened, but 
he was so angry that he replied, savagely: 

“ This is a fine way for you to talk, upon my word If 
I’ve got myself into a scrape it is all your work. I hadn’t 
even thought of such a thing as abducting the girl. I only 
intended to send an intermediary to her to try to convince 
her that it would be better to live a life of ease than earn 
her bread by giving music-lessons. Then you come and 
suggest that I resort to a highly romantic expedient that 
will be sure to make an impression on the girl’s imagina- 
tion, you say. You even offer to carry the scheme into ex- 
ecution. It was you who wrote the anonymous letter; it 
was yoirwho furnished the carriage and servants. And 
now you talk to me about the Court of Assizes. It’s a 
nice time to do that, truly. You had better tell me what I 
must do to escape it, for if I go there you’ll go too.” 

“ There is no need of either of us going there, if you 
will only listen to me. But, first, let me prove to you that 
I was sincere in advising you to abduct the girl. I have 
never concealed the fact that I had my reasons for wishing 
to separate her from this Monsieur de Becherel, who is so 
much in love with her that he really thinks of marrying 
her. I should have accomplished my object, dear sir, if 
she had decided to accept your proposals. I hadn’t much 
hope of it, however. I knew her too well. But I said to 
myself: Let us make the experiment. When she sees the 
beauties of the house on the Quai de Valmy she will suc- 
cumb, perhaps. Well, we have tried the experiment. 
What do you think of it? Do you honestly believe that 
you will ever succeed in overcoming this prude’s scruples?” 

I’m afraid not.” 

So you think of allowing the bird to escape from the 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


210 

cage, and that is precisely what I don’t want to do. I want 
also to prevent the possibility of her injuring us.” 

“But how? I hope you don’t think of wringing her 
neck?” 

“ Of course not. Only brutal idiots resort to such meas- 
ures as that.” 

“ I wouldn’t let you do it, if you wanted to. But what 
is your plan?” 

“ I want to rid you of her by gentle means, but effectu- 
ally. You can not possibly do it without my assistance.” 

“ I want to know the means you intend to employ.” 

“ Why? So that you may share the responsibility with 
me. It would be greatly to your advantage for me to act 
alone. You certainly don’t think me fool enough to bur- 
den my conscience with a murder? I’ll take entire charge 
of the whole affair. All you will have to do is to keep 
quiet, and send about their business any persons Who take 
it into their heads to question you. No one saw Yiolette 
enter the house; at least no one but the men who brought 
her here; and I can depend upon them, so the role you 
have to play is not a difficult one. You must go upstairs 
again and tell the young lady that on reflection you have 
decided not to detain her against her will, and that she is 
consequently at liberty to leave immediately. Y r ou can 
even offer to take her home in a carriage. She will refuse 
your offer, but she will accept her freedom. While you 
are talking with her I will go and open the porte-cochere so 
she can leave whenever she pleases.” 

“ But--” 

“ Oh, don’t insist upon an explanation. I sha’n’t give 
you any. You can accept my offer or not, as you choose. 
If my proposal doesn’t please you. I’ll decamp and leave 
you to settle the affair with your prisoner as best you can.” 
“ The deuce take her and you, too,” growled Galimas. 
“ I’ll say a word or two to her, and then — well, I’ll leava* 
the whole matter in your hands.” 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


217 


44 That is the best thing you could possibly do, my dear 
fellow. Now I will leave you. After your interview with 
the fair damsel you can remain here or return home, as 
you prefer. You won’t see me again to-night, but to- 
morrow, at the Bourse, I’ll give you some news that will 
ease your mind, I trust.” 

As he spoke, the originator of the conspiracy took leave 
of Galimas, who made no attempt to detain him. The 
broker had had quite enough of this unpleasant pre- 
dicament, and was anxious to put an end to it without 
delay, so he went up to the room where he had left 
Yiolette. 

On entering the apartment where the girl was waiting 
for her destiny to be decided, Galimas saw that she was still 
standing close to the window; so, without making any at- 
tempt to approach her, he said: 

44 1 have reflected, mademoiselle, and I do not wish you 
to retain an unpleasant recollection of me. You would do 
well to remain here until to-morrow morning, but you are 
not obliged to do so. You are at perfect liberty to leave 
this house. You would not make use of my carriage, I 
know, if I offered it; you would prefer to leave on foot. It 
would be an act of the greatest imprudence, though. Per- 
mit me, however, to tell you that you will probably find a 
carriage on the boulevard. Permit me also to add that I 
am entirely at your service, whatever happens. I should 
deem myself very fortunate if you should write me that 
you had changed your mind. My address is No. 31 Rue 
du Quatre Septembre. ” 

And Galimas disappeared without even giving Yiolette 
time to thank him. She could not understand why this 
man had so suddenly abandoned his pursuit of her; but 
this was no time to deliberate, for he might change his 
mind, so it was advisable to take advantage of this oppor- 
tunity. She listened and heard him descend the stairs. 
When the sound of his footsteps had died away, Yiolette 


218 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


waited a few minutes longer in order to allow him ample 
time to leave the house. 

After five minutes, which seemed well-nigh intermina- 
ble, she decided to make the venture; and slipping out into 
the brilliantly lighted hall, she reached the vestibule with- 
out meeting any one. 

The porte-cochere was standing open. She rushed out 
and found herself on the deserted quay. She did not know 
where she was, or which way to go; but the all-important 
thing was to place a long distance between her and the 
house she had just left, so she began to run with all her 
might, keeping close to the houses. The black waters of 
the canal terrified her; but she said to herself that she 
should soon reach a more frequented locality or meet a car- 
riage, so she hastened on. 

After a few minutes she heard the sound of carriage- 
wheels behind her, and glancing back she saw a fiacre ap- 
proaching at a very leisurely pace. If the vehicle was 
empty it was certainly Heaven that had sent it to her, she 
thought. 

She paused and waited until the shabby vehicle, driven 
by a coachman who seemed to be more than half asleep, 
overtook her; then darting out into the street she called 
loudly to the driver, who was muffled nearly to the eyes in 
the big cape of his old-fashioned overcoat. 

“ r 11 give you ten francs to take me to the Rue de Con- 
stantinople!” she cried. 

44 All right, my little lady,” replied the man, stopping 
his horses. “ ITL have you there in less than no time. 
Jump in!” 

Violette did not need to be told twice. She opened the 
door, and bowing her head, hastily sprung into the car- 
riage. 

Before she had even time to seat herself, however, she 
was seized by strong hands and a large leather gag was ap- 
plied to her mouth, while some one tied her feet and hands 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


219 


with ropes; and as if to increase the horrors of this abduc- 
tion, so much more frightful than the other, her eyes were 
immediately bandaged with a large handkerchief. 

All this was done with marvelous dexterity and rapidity; 
and the perpetrators of the outrage did not utter a word. 

There were at least two of them; one who was sitting 
beside her and the other opposite, on the front seat of the 
carriage. 

Yiolette was utterly unable to move or to cry out; in- 
deed, it was only with the greatest difficulty that she could 
breathe. 

She felt that she was lost, and she commended her soul 
to God, for she had retained all her clearness of percep- 
tion, and she asked herself what these wretches intended to 
do with her. Why had they subjected her to this fresh 
outrage when she had been completely in their power be- 
fore, and where were they taking her? 

The horses were now moving at a rapid trot, making the 
vehicle clatter and bound as it traversed the badly paved 
street; but soon the jolting became much less violent, and 
Violette knew that they must be on the asphalt; but it was 
impossible for her to tell the direction in which they were 
going. She thought, however, that they must be taking 
her outside the city limits to murder her in the open fields 
or throw her into the Seine. 

Death had no terrors for her; but she did not want to 
die without seeing, Kobert again; nor could she bear the 
idea that he might suspect her of having consented to the 
abduction, as actresses sometimes suddenly abandon the 
stage to follow some Russian prince who is ready to cover 
them with gold. 

And this was the fate that inevitably awaited her, for 
she could not hope that Robert would ever guess the truth? 

It would be impossible to describe her sufferings during 
this terrible drive which, although comparatively short, 
seemed to her a century long. 


220 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


At last the carriage stopped, the. door was opened, and 
Violette was taken out and carried across the pavement by 
the head and feet exactly as if she had been a bale of mer- 
chandise. 

She knew that she was taken into a house— for the air 
was much warmer — but only to be carried directly through 
it, and by the grating sound of gravel under tiie feet of her 
captors she suspected that they next traversed a garden 
walk. 

Any doubts on this point were speedily dispelled, for the 
branches of a shrub wet with dew grazed her face, and the 
smell of freshly stirred earth greeted her nostrils. She 
heard, too, the fluttering of a suddenly awakened bird. 

Then the air became warmer again. Her captors had 
left the garden and were now slowly ascending a staircase. 
The man who held her head was walking backward, and 
Violette received a slight jolt at each step. She had the 
presence of mind to count them; there were twenty-two of 
them. 

On the twenty-second they paused and set her upon her 
feet without letting go their hold, however. 

A key grated in a lock, a door creaked as it turned upon 
its hinges, and Violette was gently pushed forward by one 
of her persecutors. 

Bound as she was, it was only with the greatest difficulty 
that she could walk at all. She did manage to take a few 
steps, however, and almost immediately. some one unbound 
her ankles and then her hands. 

She waited for them to remove the bandage from her 
eyes and the gag from her mouth, but she waited in vain. 
Again she heard the door turn upon its hinges, and the 
key grate in the lock. 

Her persecutors had departed. 

In what kind of a place had they left her? Why had 
they not killed her then and there? Could it be that they 
were reserving her for a still more horrible fate, that of 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


221 


slow starvation: She could not implore their compassion, 

for they had disappeared. An oppressive silence reigned 
around her — the silence of the tomb — and in this frightful 
solitude she could distinctly hear the beating of her own 
heart. 

There was nothing to prevent her from removing the gag 
from her mouth and the bandage from her eyes now, but 
she dared not. She feared some appalling sight would 
meet her gaze; for the air she inhaled was so foul and 
nauseating that she asked herself if she had not been placed 
in some charnel house. 

But however horrible her surroundings might be, she 
could endure this suspense no longer, so she slowly began 
to remove the gag. She succeeded finally, though not 
without considerable difficulty, for it was held in place by 
wires behind the ears like a fencer’s mask. Then she had 
only to remove the bandage from her eyes. This done, she 
opened them, but could see nothing, the darkness that sur- 
rounded her was so profound. 

Where was she? She could not imagine; and she dared 
not make any attempt to explore her dungeon for fear that 
any step she took might bring her to an open trap-door 
and precipitate her into a pit below. 

She said to herself that she could not be verv far from 

%/ 

the door by which she had entered, and that there was 
consequently no danger that the floor would give way be- 
neath her feet if she moved in that direction, so she re- 
treated instead of advancing. 

Soon she reached the- wall, and leaning against it she 
listened breathlessly, for she fancied she heard a strange 
sound — a faint moaning, that ceased only to begin again a 
moment afterward. Her blood curdled in her veins at the 

i 

thought that some other human being was languishing in 
this dungeon; her limbs gave way beneath her, and she 
sunk upon the floor. 

Her physical strength was exhausted, and her mental 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


222 

powers were beginning to desert her. The blood rushed to 
her head, and she gradually relapsed into a state of partial 
unconsciousness. Robert's image appeared before her; she 
fancied she could hear him cursing the perfidious creature 
who had deserted him to follow the infamous Galimas. 
Robert must have noticed the scoundrel's maneuvers dur- 
ing the performance, and supposed that he had won Yiolette 
with his promises of gold; and now, Robert, instead of 
making an attempt to find her, was swearing that he would 
never set eyes on her again. 

This thought broke the poor girl's heart, and deprived 
her of her only hope. There was nothing left for her but 
death now, and she longed for it with all her heart. 

At last sleep came; the leaden slumber that follows great 
crises. 

How long she slept she never knew; but when she woke 
she was utterly unable to recall what had passed. She 
opened her eyes, but only to instantly close them again. 

Day had dawned, and the light that stole through the 
windows above dazzled her, dim as it was. 

Suddenly she fancied she felt some one's breath upon 
her cheek. The idea aroused her from her lethargy, and 
opening her eyes they met those of a woman who was 
kneeling beside her — a woman whose face was almost 
touching hers, and whose lips were murmuring incoherent 
words. 

A cry of astonishment escaped Yiolette, and she hastily 
raised herself upon one elbow; still the woman did not 
move, but continued to devour her with her eyes. 

“ Who are you:" asked the girl, in a trembling voice. 

Are you a prisoner like myself?" 

She received no reply; but this time she heard the words 
the stranger was repeating: 

“ Simone!" she was saying. “ Simone, where are you?" 

“ Simone! that is my name!" 

“ That is false! Simone is dead. You are saying tills 


CASH Dtf DELIVERY. 


22'S 


just to try me — like that man who came here and tried to 
get me away. ” 

“ But what if I should be the Simone you believe 
dead?” 

“ You look like her, but you are not Simone.” 

“ What would you do if you should find her again?” 

“ W~hat would I do? How dare you ask me that? Do 
you not understand that she for whom I mourn was my 
daughter?” 

“ Your daughter!” exclaimed Violette, beginning to 
scrutinize the face of the stranger in her turn. Those 
features, haggard with suffering, aroused no recollection in 
her mind. They were entirely strange to her, but it 
seemed to her that she had heard this sweet and well 
modulated voice in the days of her childhood. 

“ How tell me your name in your turn,” she said at 
last. 

“ My name? I have forgotten it. I try to recall it 
sometimes, and there are days when it suddenly recurs to 
me.” 

“ Well, try now, I beseech you.” 

The woman bowed her head upon her hands, and sat for 
a long time silent and motionless. 

Then suddenly straightening herself, she said: 

“ Years ago they used to call me Bertha.” 

Violette turned pale. She, too, had suddenly recalled 
the name. 

“ Did you live in a sea-port town?” she asked. 

“ Yes, I lived near the sea. But how did you know that?”" 

“ You lived in Havre, perhaps?” 

“ Ho, in Ingouville. ” 

Violette knew enough of geography to be aware that the 
pretty village of Ingouville was in the suburbs of Havre. 

“ Did you live near the water?” she asked, quickly. 

‘‘Yes, we could look on the sea from the windows of 
our house,” 


224 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


44 And there was a large garden full of flowers, was there 
not?” 

6 4 Yes. Oh, those flowers! I loved them so. I wonder 
if there are any flowers now?” 

The tears rose to Violette’s eyes. 

44 You had a daughter, had you not?” she asked. 

44 Yes; and 1 idolized her, but they took her from 
me.” 

44 Who took her from you?” 

44 1 do not know. She was stolen. She was playing in 
the garden one evening; I left her for a moment, and 
when I returned, she was gone.” 

44 And you have never seen her since?” 

44 No, never. My grief at her loss destroyed my reason. 
They shut me up in a ship, and I was on the sea a long 
time. ” 

44 .And afterward?” 

44 1 can not remember what happened afterward. Where 
are we?” 

44 You are in Paris. That is all I know, for I, too, was 
dragged here last night by force, after my captors had 
bandaged my eyes. Your daughter was taken from you; 
my mother was taken from me. I was scarcely four years 
old when I was found asleep on a bench in a public park 
in Renues — along way from the city of Havre, where I was 
born . 99 

44 Why do you say that you were born in Havre?” 

44 Because I am sure that I was. I recollect that my 
nurse carried me out on a long pier — and that garden full 
of flowers at Ingouville. I can see it yet.” 

The stranger listened with breathless eagerness, and her 
eyes sparkled with extraordinary brilliancy. It was evi- 
dent that both intelligence and memory were returning. 

Suddenly she sprung toward Yiolette and seized the 
frightened girl by the fair shoulder, for the corsage of the 
costume she wore was moderately decollete . 


CASH OK DELIVER!". 


225 


i 4 This mark?” demanded the recluse, touching a small 
dark spot that marred the whiteness of the soft skin. 

“ I have had it ever since I was born/* replied Violette. 
“ My daughter! for you are indeed my daughter,” ex- 
claimed the poor woman, smothering her with kisses. 

For some minutes the mother and daughter embraced 
and wept over each other in silence. 

“ Ah! I felt sure that you were my mother,” exclaimed 
Violette. “ It is God that has united us.” 

“ Yes, we will die together — for it must have been with 
the intention of killing you that they threw you into this 
prison. Do you know who your persecutors are? Tell me 
all about vour life. What were you doing when they seized 
you, and why did they treat you as they haver” 

“ I was reared by charity, in a convent. Afterward I 
became a music-teacher in a boarding-school near Paris, 
and afterward companion in the household of a lady called 
the Countess de Malvoisine.” 

Violette paused. She could not bear to tell her mother 
that she had afterward sung in a theater, though she fully 
expected to be questioned about the singular costume she 
wore. But the recluse did not seem to notice it. Since 
she had been pining in . Marcaudier *s prison house the un- 
fortunate woman had had time to forget how young girls 
usually dress. 

Nor did the name of Malvoisine seem to make any im- 
pression upon her. She had never heard it before evi- 
dently. 

“ Listen,” she said, pressing Violette to her heart, “ I 
do not know what they intend’ to do with you. Perhaps 
they intend you to perish of cold and hunger. I have 
managed to endure these privations for years, but you 
could not endure them long, so we will try to make our 
escape. A man came here one night, not very long ago. 
He entered by way of the roof. He wanted to save me, 
but I refused to go with him. I thought that my perse- 


226 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


cutors had sent him here to set a trap for me. He showed 
me a paper on which I had written your name, and which 
I had thrown through that window up there. I hope he 
will come again; but if he does not, we shall perhaps be 
able to make our escape without his assistance/’ 

“It must have been Robert," thought Yiolette. “I 
understand now why he promised to restore my mother 
to me about a fortnight ago. " 


CHAPTER IX. 

Aeter his brief conversation with the colonel, Robert de 
Becherel returned home in a state of mind closely border- 
ing on frenzy. 

He no longer suspected M. de Mornac of treachery, but 
he still doubted Yiolette, and the mere thought that she 
might have allowed herself to be tempted by the proposals 
of a man like Galimas caused him the most poignant suf- 
fering; and, though he tried hard to convince himself that 
such a thing was an impossibility, he did not succeed. 

Very unfortunately, too, he found himself condemned to 
a state of inaction. What could he do? Galimas and 
Marcaudier would laugh in his face if he went to demand 
Vioiette at their hands. Besides, the colonel had advised 
Robert to take no action in the matter until he heard from 
him. He had even promised that he should hear from 
him the next day, so there was nothing for Robert to do 
but wait. 

The poor fellow passed a frightful night. He locked 
himself up in his room, and even forgot to ascertain if his 
groom had returned — the groom he thought he had seen 
hissing Yiolette in the upper gallery. 

This strange incident recurred to his mind when he 
woke, however, and ringing for Jean, who promptly ap- 
peared in answer to the summons, wearing a decidedly 
shame-faced air, he proceeded to question him. 


CASH OX DELIVERY. 


227 


The youth denied the charge at first, but on being- 
pressed, finally admitted that he had entered the .theater 
on a ticket purchased at the door, and that he hissed be- 
cause the piece bored him. This explanation did not 
satisfy his master, however, and Jean's discomfited mien 
showed plainly enough that his conscience was not clear; 
and when Robert announced his intention of sending him 
back to Rennes, he hung his head and wept, instead of 
protesting. 

The morning passed quietly. Becherel had resolved not 
to go out for fear of missing M. de Mornac's visit, and on 
leaving the table, after going through the form of break- 
fasting, he went into the smoking-room and stretched him- 
self out on a sofa to once more review the situation. 

It seemed inextricable, and after racking his brain in 
vain to solve the mystery of Violette's disappearance, he 
began to think of his mother, and to wonder if he had not 
better join her at Rennes without delay. He had not 
received a letter from her for several days, and she might 
arrive in Paris at any moment; but why should he keep 
her waiting any longer, now that he had no hope of ever 
seeing Yiolette again? All his dreams of happiness had 
vanished, and he now began to think with something like 
regret of the quiet, uneventful life he had previously dis- 
dained. 

He was engrossed with thoughts like these when a vigor- 
ous pull at the bell announced the arrival of the colonel, 
who was immediately ushered into the smoking-room, and 
who began as follows, without preamble of any kind: 

44 Last evening I promised to give my attention to the 
matter that interests you so deeply, and I have kept my 
word. I have just left police head -quarters, so I am now 
in a position to give you some definite information in re- 
gard to the persecutors of your lady-love, and in a quarter 
of an hour you will know as much about their past as I do. 
Galimas is a parvenu in every sense of the word. Born 


228 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


of poor but dishonest parents, he acquired his education at 
a public school, where he learned to read and write, and 
above all, to count. At sixteen years of age he was sweep- 
ing out a broker’s office; at eighteen he was filling the re- 
sponsible position of messenger; at twenty he was acting as 
clerk for another broker. Where he got the money that 
first enabled him to speculate on his own account the devil 
only knows. This much is certain; he is worth four or 
five millions to-day, which he has made dishonestly, of 
course, but without ever doing anything that would render 
him liable to prosecution by his victims. As for Marcaudier, 
his history is more complicated. It is closely connected 
with that of the ladies on the Rue du Roclier. The Mal- 
voisine, as I think I have already told you, was at the 
head of a large dress-making establishment twenty-five 
years ago.” 

“ Here in Paris?” asked Becherel. 

“ Yes, on the Rue Vivienne. She had a large and fash- 
ionable clientele in those days, and was very handsome, 
though by no means virtuous. Among other male 
acquaintances she made that of a gentleman whose repu- 
tation was of a very doubtful kind, but whose wealth was 
incontestable, judging from the style in which he lived. 
This gentleman, who resided in Paris only at intervals, 
answered to the name of Morgan, and was the owner of a 
number of vessels, which he sometimes sailed himself. 
The fruit of his liaison with Josephine Lureau, now known 
as Madame de Malvoisine, was a daughter.” 

4 4 Herminia?” exclaimed Becherel. 

“ The same, though she bore her mother’s name until 
the day when the modiste after a long eclipse reappeared 
in Paris as the Countess de Malvoisine. That was about 
fifteen years ago, and everybody has forgotten Josephine 
Lureau now. The only traces that remain of her are on 
the archives of the prefecture. ” 

“ And Marcaudier, colonel?” 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


22 $ 


“ I was just coming to him. This Morgan, who is Her- 
minia’s father, but who never acknowledged her— probably 
because he was a married man— reappeared in Paris at the 
same time, purchased a house for his daughter and her 
mother, and one for himself, and has since led a very re- 
tired life, absenting himself for months at a time, never 
showing himself at the house of the pretended countess, 
and indulging in no luxury or display, though he has a 
balance of at least twelve million francs in the Bank of 
France. He brought back to Paris with him a man who 
doesn’t seem in the least inclined to bury himself, how- 
ever, and who has made himself quite famous by some very 
successful speculations at the Bourse. This man is your 
usurer, Pierre Marcaudier, alias Cash on Delivery.” 

“ Who is doubtless in the employ of Herminia’s father 
— an atrocious scoundrel, apparently — and as that young 
lady took it into her head that she would like to marry me, 
Marcaudier invented a plan to get Yiolette out of the way 
in order to eventually bring me to the feet of liis master’s 
illegitimate daughter.” 

“ That is exactly my opinion.” 

“ But what has he done with her?” 

“ I am inclined to think that he entered into a compact 
with Galimas to entice her to some house where the gallant 
broker hides his lady-loves. My friend has promised to find 
this house, and in the meantime he has carried his courtesy 
so far as to place at my disposal two detectives who are 
now waiting for me in the street below. I was anxious to 
see you before I started out after Galimas, so — 99 

“ But how about Marcaudier? Nobody can convince me 
that he was not the originator of the conspiracy; Galimas 
was only a tool.” 

“ That is very possible; but even admitting you are 
right, we are not much better off. Where could Marcau- 
dier have taken Violette? Certainly not to his own house 
in Passy?” 


230 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


“ I clo not know.” 

“ I do,” said Jean, suddenly appearing before them. 

It was a scene for a painter. 

The groom had dropped the portiere behind which he 
had been hiding, and now advanced tremblingly; M. de 
Mornac, furiously angry, made a movement as if to spring 
&t his throat, exclaiming: 

“ So you have been listening again, you rascal? This is 
a. little too much, and Pm going to give you a sound tlirash- 

* 99 

ang. 

“ Don’t touch me,” said the Breton, squaring himself 
for the encounter. 

He was strong, like all his countrymen, and if the 
colonel had undertaken to correct him he would probably 
have had a lively time of it. 

“It is to my master that I wish to speak, and to him 
alone,” continued Jean. 

“ Well, speak then,” said Becherel. “ Vindicate your- 
self, if you can; but tell the truth. You will gain nothing 
b} r trying to deceive me. I have dismissed you, and I shall 
not take you into my service again.” 

“ Monsieur did perfectly right to dismiss me. I deserved 
it; but I do not want to return home until monsieur has 
forgiven me.” 

“ Forgiven you for what? For listening at doors?” re- 
torted Bobert, angrily. “Go and ask absolution of your 
father-confessor. He will give it if you have no other sins 
to reproach yourself with. ” 

“ What! you stand here and waste your time in talking 
with this fool, instead of kicking him out-of-doors? You 
can not wonder that I leave you in disgust. ” 

“ You will make a great mistake, then, sir,” said Jean; 
“ for I have several things to tell my master — things that 
you, too, ought to hear, for — ” 

“ Explain quickly, then,” interrupted Robert, glancing 
Si t the colonel as if to beg him to remain. 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


231 


44 About three weeks ago/’ began Jean, 44 1 uninten- 
tionally overheard you talking of a lady who resides near 
here, on the Rue Rougemont — Madame Julia.” 

44 Ah! so you are a lover of hers!” exclaimed M. de Mor- 
nac. 44 I might have known it.” 

4 4 1 was, but that is all over now. In the first place, she 
has another, and that doesn’t suit me. Besides, after what 
she did yesterday — ” 

44 Do you propose to entertain us with an account of your 
love affairs?” thundered M. de Mornac. 

44 Let him alone, colonel,” said Becherel, who was be- 
ginning to see the drift of his groom’s remarks. 

Then, turning to Jean, he added: 

44 You went to the theater last night, you told me.” 

44 Yes, monsieur,” replied the youth, promptly; 44 and I 
was very sorry that I did, when I saw you there, seated be- 
hind the musicians. It was Madame Julia who gave me 
the ticket.” 

« 

44 And who ordered you to hiss, I suppose?” 

44 That is true; and I assure you I had no desire to; the 
young lady dressed like a bird was so pretty, and sung so 
sweetly. But Madame J ulia motioned me to do it, and I 
didn’t dare to disobey her. I was sorry for it afterward, 
though, for the men around me beat me and turned me 
out.” 


44 And what then?” 

44 1 had had enough of the theater, and would have been 
glad to return home, but Madame Julia had made me 
promise to wait for her in a cafe on the boulevard, so I 
waited.” 

44 Did she come?” 

44 Yes; and she was in high spirits. She told me that it 
had been a hard matter to prevent the audience from 
breaking up everything in the theater. They were so mad 
because the singer couldn’t be found. I said I was sorry 
to hear that, and she laughed and made fun of me. She 


232 CASH 02* DELIVERY. 

said that the young lady had taken her place, so she hated 
her, and was glad to get rid of her, and she added that the 
girl would never give her any more trouble, for she had 
been put in prison.” 

“ In prison?” exclaimed Robert. 

<c Yes; and when I asked her what the poor young lady 
had done that she should have been arrested by the gen- 
darmes she told me that I was a fool — that the gendarmes 
had had nothing to do with this affair — that it was a friend 
of hers who had carried the girl off. ” 

“ Rid she tell you where lie had taken her?” 

*‘Y r es; to a house that belongs to him, and where he 
intends to detain her by force. I thought it an abominable 
shame, but I didn't say so, because 1 wanted to find out if 
all this was really true; and when she had given me proofs 
that it was, I told her that she was a good-for-nothing 
hussy, and walked off and left her.” 

“ But why did you say nothing about all this when I re- 
turned last night?” 

“ I didn't know that monsieur was acquainted with the 
young lady they had treated so badly. Still, the story I 
had heard worried me. I saw, too, that monsieur was in 
trouble; but I didn't dare to ask him what the matter was. 
But when I heard monsieur speak of the singer and how 
she had been kidnapped, 1 confess that I hid behind the 
curtain so as to hear more.” 

“ I forgive you.” 

“ I even thank you,” added the colonel, “ especially as 
you were shrewd enough to get some useful information 
out of the hussy. Was it to a house of the Rue Mozart 
that they took the young lady?” 

“ No; she told me the name of the street, but I don't 
remember it very well. It seems to me that it was some- 
thing like Martin or Morton.” 

“ The Rue Milton?” exclaimed Becherel. 

That is it.” 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


233 


“ Why, it is there that Herminia’s father lives/’ re- 
marked the colonel. 

“The mystery is solved!” cried Robert. “Morgan’s 
house is connected by a garden with the house on the Rue 
Eodier, in which Marcaudier receives his clients. Jean, 
my boy, you have rendered me a service I shall never forget. 
Leave us now. I want to be alone with the colonel.” 

Jean disappeared, and Becherel immediately began to tell 
M. de Mornac all about his expedition of a fortnight be- 
fore. M. de Mornac listened to the story with all the at- 
tention it deserved, but seemed to draw a rather startling 
conclusion from it, for he said, coldly: 

“ You certainly did very wrong to keep this adventure 
from me. If you had told me about it, we should not be 
where we are now.” 

“ Yes; I did very wrong,” replied Becherel, promptly; 
“ but now you know all about it, I think you can not 
doubt that Yiolette has been taken to the place I speak of.” 
“ I am not altogether sure of it, for this reason: if it 
was really Marcaudier that committed the outrage, there 
was no necessity of his associating Galimas with him in 
the affair. Besides, if it is really Violette’s mother Mar- 
caudier keeps shut up in his garret, he would commit a 
great imprudence by imprisoning the daughter there too.” 
“ You forget that Marcaudier knows nothing of Yio- 
lette ’s history, colonel. The Malvoisine and her daughter 
are equally ignorant of it, you recollect. They know that 
Yiolette was a foundling, but that is all.” 

“ That is a sound argument, and we run no risk by act- 
ing on the supposition that you are right, and acting im- 
mediately. I have almost carte blanche from the prefect- 
ure. My two detectives are in the street below, and I have 
a carriage in waiting. We will enter it with them. I say 
we, because I am going to take you with me. You know 
the ground, and you may be of service to me.” 

“ And we are going where?” 


CASH OX DELIVERY. 


334 

“ To the Rue Milton, of course. But, after we get 
there, you must let me operate alone. I don’t know how 
I shall manage it, but I assure you that I shall succeed in 
getting into the house some way or other. Are you ready:” 
It is needless to say that Robert did not keep the colonel 
waiting, even for a moment, and the whole party were soon 
driving rapidly in the direction of the Rue Milton. It was 
not until they had gone a short distance beyond the suspect- 
ed house that the colonel ordered the coachman to stop. 

They all alighted, but the detectives remained near the 
carriage, while M. de Mornac and Becherel proceeded 
toward the house. 

“ I’ll give you my instructions now,” remarked the 
colonel. “ Morgan has been away, but I am sure he has 
returned, for all the shutters are open, as you see. You 
are to wait for riie on the other side of the street, directly 
opposite the house, and not move until you receive further 
orders from me.” 

“ What, colonel, you are going into the house alone:” 

“ Y r es; if I need you I will call you.” 

“ But this Morgan must be a scoundrel of the deepest 
dye, and his servants are probably no better than he is, so 
you run no little risk of personal violence.” 

“ I’m not afraid of that. I have a good revolver in my 
pocket. Besides, I have taken my precautions, and at the 
very first signal from me the detectives will rush to my 
aid. The signal is to be a pistol-shot.” 

“ But they may not hear it. They are so far off.” 

<c But you will, and you can call them. It will not be 
necessary, however. I know how I can keep Monsieur 
Morgan on his good behavior. ” 

“ And you think he will see you?” 

^ I am sure of it, and he will listen to me, too. I haven’t 
time now to explain how I intend to proceed, but you 
surely have sufficient confidence in me to allow me to be 
guided by my own judgment.” 


CASH 0*T DELIVERY. 


235 


And, without giving Becherel time to make any more 
objections, M. de Mornac crossed the street and gave the 
door-bell of Morgan’s house a vigorous pull. 

The servant who answered the summons was in his shirt- 
sleeves, and had a feather duster in his hand. His appear- 
ance was by no means prepossessing, and it was in a rough* 
almost insolent manner that he said, gruffly: 

Who do you want to see?” 

“ Monsieur Leon Morgan,” replied the colonel. 

“ My master is not seeing any one to-day.” 

“ He will see me, however. Tell him that I have called 
at the instance of Monsieur Pierre Marcaudier, to see him 
on a matter of grave importance.” 

The servant hesitated. In fact he seemed to be on the 
point of shutting the door in the visitor’s face, when a 
harsh voice cried from the end of the hall: 

u Let him in!” 

Colonel Mornac pushed by the servant, and found him- 
self face to face with a man whom he recognized as Morgan 
from the description that had been given of him at the pre- 
fecture of police. 

The man was tall and stout, with very broad shoulders* 
He had a brick- red face, closely cropped gray hair, and 
shaggy eyebrows. He looked like a sailor, or rather like a 
pirate. His eyes were sharp, and his face stem and even 
forbidding in its expression, though his features were reg- 
ular, and he must even have been quite handsome when he 
was young. 

He wore a loose blouse that exposed his neck to view — a 
thick, bull-like neck, and had a short black pipe in his mouth. 

“ Did you say that you called at Pierre Marcaudier ’s re- 
quest?” he asked, brusquely. 

“ Yes, Monsieur Leon. ” 

“ How did he hear that I was in the city? I arrived 
only this morning, and I wrote him that I should not re- 
turn until to-morrow.” 


236 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


“ That is true, but he bade me call at all hazards. I 
want to speak to you on an important matter. He will 
call himself this evening*” 

“ Very well; step out into the garden with me.” 

This proposal was eminently satisfactory for many rea- 
sons. An interview in a room would have had its dangers; 
in the open air the colonel ran little if any risk. 

So he followed Morgan, who finally paused in the middle 
of a path some distance from the house, and said, bluntly: 
“ We are alone now. What do you want with me? 
But, first, tell me who you are. I don't know you.” 

“ But Pierre Marcaudier knows me.” 

“ That is very possible; but what is your name?” 

“ My name would have no significance to you. It is 
enough for you to know that I was sent here by the prefect 
of police. * 9 

“A detective! Mille ton-nerves! WeTl see about this. 
Jean Marie!”* shouted Morgan, at the top of his voice. 

But before the servant he summoned had time to re- 
spond to the call, the colonel drew a revolver from his 
pocket, and said, coolly: 

“ If you do not send your servant back, I shall fire in 
the air, and the policemen who are waiting, for me in the 
.Rue Milton will rush in. ” 

The threat proved effectual, for Jean Marie had scarcely 
shown his face in the door- way, when his master cried: 

“ Remain in the hall, and dorfft let any one in.” 

“ That order is entirely useless,” remarked M. de Mornac, 
coolly. “ If I summon my men, they will burst the door 
open if necessary. It will be greatly to your interest, how- 
ever, to create no scandal, for I have merely come to ask an 
explanation of a certain fact. If this explanation appears 
satisfactory to me, you will be subjected to no further an- 
noyance. 9 y 

Morgan's face just at that moment was a curious study. 
He was evidently trying to decide whether he should spring 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


237 


upon the colonel and strangle him with his brawny hands 
or hear him to the end. He would not have hesitated, 
probably, if he had had a clear conscience. 

44 I have never had any dealings with the police,” he 
said, at last. “I was formerly a large shipowner; Iain 
worth fifteen million francs, and I made my money hon- 
estly. 9 9 

44 1 know who you are,” interrupted M. de Mornac; 
44 and I also know that since you took up your abode in 
Paris, about fifteen years ago, your life has been irreproach- 
able. I can not say as much, however, of the man you 
honor with your confidence, for frequent complaints have 
been made to us of Marcaudier’s usurious practices.” 

44 That is no concern of mine. Pierre sailed with me 
years ago; he has had an interest in some of my commer- 
cial enterprises, and in that way has made a great deal of 
money. What he does with it is no business of mine. * It 
is hardly probable that you came here to talk to me about 
these matters, so tell me just what you want and have 
done with it . 99 

44 Very well. A complaint has been made against you, 
and the investigation of the charge has been intrusted to 
me. You are accused of unwarrantable and forcible de- 
tention. ” 

44 Detention!” repeated Morgan, in the tone of a man 
who did not comprehend the meaning of the word. 
,44 What do you mean?” 

44 In other words, you are accused of having imprisoned 
a person against that person’s will, and of detaining the 
person by force; and you are doubtless aware that the law 
severely punishes any outrage of individual liberty.” 

44 Who accuses me of this?” 

44 Neighbors, who complain of being annoyed by the 
cries of that person, who, they say, is so continually shriek- 
ing and screaming for help that they are unable to sleep at 
night.” 


238 


CASH OjST DELIVERY. 


“ I have no neighbors, and there is no sense in the eom- 
plaint. Those who made it must have some object in thus 
endeavoring to injure me, and their charge is utterly un- 
worthy of credence. You can search my house from top 
to bottom, however, if you like. I will show you through 
it myself. ” 

The pretended agent from the prefecture was silent for 
a moment, but he did not seem to be convinced. 

“ Pardon me,” he said, at last, “ but doesn't’ that house 
I see at the further end of the garden belong to your 
friend, Monsieur Marcaudierr" 

“ I am really unable to say." 

“ We are not, however. And it is from that very house 
that the cries and moans proceed." 

“ Then apply to the owner of it for the information you 
desire." 

We shall be obliged to do that eventually, I do not 
doubt; but in the meantime will you allow me to broach 
another side of the question? The information we have 
received is full and explicit. We are sure that some one is 
confined in that building, and a warrant for an examina- 
tion of the premises will soon be issued — probably to-mor- 
row, and the result will doubtless be extremely unpleasant 
for Monsieur Marcaudier. If he were the only person con- 
cerned in the matter this search-warrant would have been 
issued long ago, for he does not bear a very enviable 
reputation with us; but he is an intimate friend of yours, 
and it is well to think twice before involving a person like 
yourself in such an affair. ” 

“ I am extremely grateful to you, I am sure, "‘said 
Morgan, with an ironical grimace; “ but pray finish what 
you have to say." 

“ If you know the truth I assure you that it would be 
greatly to your interest to tell it before any further action 
is taken in the matter. I should add that we are perfectly 
willing to admit that there may be no real crime at the 


CASH OK DELIVERY. 


239 


bottom of all this; that is, in the ordinary sense of the 
word. Forcible detention is considered a grave offense, 
particularly when it is practiced upon an individual whose 
existence troubles the person committing the offense; for 
example, when the victim is a person who has a right to 
property that is in the possession of the offender; but there 
are circumstances which render such an act almost pardon- 
able. Suppose, for instance, that some member of a 
family should be afflicted with insanity. That is a great 
disadvantage, and, in fact, a positive affliction to children, 
and even near relatives. When one belongs to such a fam- 
ily marriage becomes difficult and sometimes impossible; so 
not a few persons endeavor to conceal the disgrace, and 
instead of sending their afflicted relative to an insane asy- 
lum they keep the victim in their own custody, and sedu- 
lously conceal the fact from their friends and acquaint- 
ances. This is very wrong, certainly, but after all it is 
natural, for we are none of us perfect. ” 

“No; and there are many more scoundrels than honest 
men, in my opinion. But what are you driving at?” 

“ I want to say to you — I am authorized by the prefect 
of police to say to you — that if the person forcibly detained 
there is an insane person and has been confined there for 
the reasons I have cited, it would change the aspect of 
affairs entirely. The motives that led to the detention 
would be considered, and if it could be proved that it had 
not been done in the interest of an avaricious relative, no 
prosecution would ensue, but the authorities would confine 
themselves to ordering the transfer of the demented person 
to a private lunatic asylum.” 

“ That is your private opinion, I suppose?” 

“No; it is the opinion of my superiors; and they would 
not only carefully refrain from making the matter public, 
but would assume the whole responsibility — as they have 
an undoubted right to do.” 

Morgan did not utter a word. He seemed to be reflecting. 


240 


CASH OX DELIVERY. 


“ I tell you all this, sir,” continued M. de Mornae, u be- 
cause the affair is sure to create a great scandal if the 
authorities should be compelled to resort to legal measures. 
Of course all this would affect you more or less directly, as 
Marcaudier is a protege of yours, and if he be arrested 
your reputation would suffer. ” 

“ You are right,” said Morgan, brusquely. “ I had 
better tell you all.' ’ 

“ I congratulate you on your decision, sir; and I assure 
you that you will have no cause to regret having followed 
my advice.” • 

“Ah, well! the woman up there is mad, and has been 
mad for fifteen years. ” 

It is a woman, then,” said M. de Mornae, who was 
perfectly well aware of the fact, but who had taken good 
care not to mention the sex of the prisoner. 

“ Yes, my wife. You see I am concealing nothing from 
you. I married her in America. She brought me no 
fortune, so I have no interest in getting her out of the way. 
Her mind became affected while we were living in Havre. 
I had ceased to follow the sea and was contemplating a 
change of residence. She had not lost her reason entirely 
at that time; but her malady seemed to be making such 
rapid progress that I thought strongly of placing the un- 
fortunate woman in an insane asylum; but Marcaudier 
dissuaded me from doing so and offered to take charge of 
her himself. I made a great mistake in following his ad- 
vice, and have often regretted it since. ” 

“ May I inquire if Madame de Malvoisine knows of this 
affair?” 

“ So you know—” 

“ Yes; I am perfectly aware of youV former relations 
with her, and also that the fruit of vour liaison was a 
daughter whom you have not acknowledged in order that 
you might be able to leave her your entire fortune.” 

“I do not deny it. ” 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


241 


“ Then you have had no legitimate children, I suppose?*" 

Morgan turned pale, but he had resolved to keep noth- 
ing back. 

“ Yes; my wife bore me a daughter/* he replied, “ but 
she was stolen from me. ** 

“ Who stole her from your** inquired the colonel, hastily, 
greatly surprised by this confession. 

“ I have no idea. I was in America at the time. It was 
in consequence of this calamity that my wife became in- 
sane. ** 

“ But did you make no effort to find your child?** 

“ It would have been useless. Marcaudier ascertained 
for a certainty that she was dead. The persons who stole 
her embarked on a small vessel with the intention of tak- 
ing her to England. The vessel was run down in the mid- 
dle of the Channel by a large ship and every soul on board 
was lost.** 

■“So it was Marcaudier who — ** 

“ I loved the child very much, and grieved a great deal 
over her loss; but of course I got used to it after awhile- 
And it was all for the best that she died, perhaps, for my 
life has been a hell ever since my marriage. My wife 
found out about Madame de Malvoisine and was continually 
making scenes. I live in peace now; but I am not much 
happier.** 

“ I should think that Mademoiselle Herminia — ** 

“ Herminia has no heart; and her mother has brought 
her up very badly. She is about to be married, Marcau- 
dier writes me, and I am glad of it. I shall give her a 
large dowry, and she will inherit my property. I am 
thinking strongly of going to sea again, and I shall die as 
I have lived — a sailor. I have told you all. Have you ail}' 
more questions to ask?’* 

“ But one. I shall be obliged to report to the prefect; 
and as I can not do that upon mere hearsay, I must see — * * 

“ My wife. You can do so if you like. I haven’t seen 


342 CASH OH DELIVEKY. 

her myself since she’s been up there; but I have the key 
to the garret where Marcaudier keeps her. It is in my 
secretary; I’ll go and get it. ” 

He re-entered the house, but the colonel remained in the 
garden. He was satisfied now that Morgan’s statements 
were true, and that he was not such a great criminal after 
all. That lie had formerly been engaged in the slave-trade 
— that he had even been a pirate — was more than probable; 
that he made his wife’s life very unhappy was certain; but 
there was nothing to prove that lie told an untruth when 
lie said that he had placed his wife in confinement because 
she was insane. And it was equally probable that he was 
sincere in asserting that his daughter had been stolen in his 
absence, and that he had deeply mourned her loss. 

Besides, however this might be, he was certainly ignorant 
that the daughter he supposed dead was imprisoned with 
her mother in Marcaudier’s garret; and the colonel, who 
had previously regarded him as the chief culprit and the 
prime cause of Yiolette’s misfortunes, now saw in him an 
unscrupulous man and cruel husband, but not an unnat- 
ural father. The real culprit was Marcaudier, Mme. de 
Malvoisine’s accomplice, and Morgan’s treacherous coun- 
selor, the inhuman custodian of the poor insane woman, 
the cowardly wretch who had just condemned Violette to 
the same horrible fate as her mother, and that certainly 
without Morgan’s knowledge or consent. 

In a few moments Morgan reappeared with a key in his 
hand. 

“ I will satisfy you now, sir,” he said, coldly; “ and I 
trust to your honor to render a truthful and impartial ver- 
sion of the facts to those who sent you here. You have 
only to follow me. I know where the room is and the way 
to it though I have never entered it. ” 

“ What! never?” exclaimed Mornac. 

“ No; Marcaudier is the only person that visits the room. 
He goes there every evening — whether I am in Paris or not 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


243 


— to take the unfortunate woman food; and I assure you 
that she has never wanted for anything so far as I know.” 
“ It seems to me, however, that a man is hardly the per- 
son to wait upon a — a sick lady. ” 

44 Oh, Marcaudier is a sort of general utility man. I 
can trust him; and he has often assured me that my wife 
never complained of her surroundings or fate.” 

“ But how about these cries that the neighbors hear?” 

44 Oh, she shrieks and raves when fits of frenzy seize her 
— which is generally at night, unfortunately. But at other 
times she is very quiet. ” 

44 One question more, sir. If she had died in her prison- 
house what would you have doner” 

Morgan seemed a trifle disconcerted, but he replied, with 
much hesitation: 

‘VI confess that I never thought what I should do in 
such a case. ” 

44 Would you have made her death public? Hardly, for 
it would have been necessary for you to admit at the same 
time how she had been living for fifteen years, and who she 
was.” 

44 I could not have done it even if I had wanted to, for 
when I brought my wife here on my return from a voyage 
to America I told people that she had died in New 
York. ” 

44 So everybody supposed that you were a widower. 
Consequently you would have been obliged to bury her 
secretly in the garden, probably. ” 

44 I don't know. Marcaudier would have attended to 
that.” 

44 1 don't doubt it; but see the situation in which this 
would have placed you, You might even have been ac- 
cused of murder. I tell you this to show you that you 
have acted very wisely in putting an end to a state of affairs 
which was certainly fraught with serious danger to you.” 

44 Nothing would please me better, I am sure,” said 


2U 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


Morgan, “ but how? What are you going to do with my 
wife? I can not live with her any longer.” 

“ You must place her in an asylum, where your fortune 
will enable you to give her every possible comfort, hlo ex- 
planation of the past will be required of you when you take 
her there; and this reappearance or resurrection of your 
lawful wife will make very little change in your life, for 
you have no idea of marrying Madame de Malvoisine, I 
suppose?” 

“ Oh, no. Marcaudier has urged me to do so several 
times, but I have never given him any encouragement. 
I’ve had enough of married life, and of the countess. I 
have made my will. Herminia will inherit all my prop- 
erty. She is my daughter, after all. If the other one had 
lived—” 

“ What other one?” 

“ The one who was stolen from me!” 

“ Well, what then?” inquired M. de Mornac, eagerly. 

“If the other one had lived Herminia would not have 
had my fortune, and it would have been a good thing, fur 
she isn't worthy of it. I should have left her plenty to 
live upon, however; and as her mother is very well off she 
might have succeeded in capturing a marquis after all, and 
that is the height of her ambition. ” 

These remarks dispelled the colonel's last lingering 
doubts. The real culprit was certainly Marcaudier. 

So there was nothing to prevent Violette from becoming 
a wealthy heiress! But at what a price! The father who 
stood ready to acknowledge her as his child was certainly 
not a parent to be proud of, and M. de Mornac found it 
difficult indeed to believe that she was the daughter of such 
a man, and even the half-sister of a girl who was so utterly 
unlike her. 

“ Come, sir,” said Morgan; “ come, I beg of you, and 
let us have it over with. ” 

They walked toward the building at the other end of the 


CASH OH DELIVER Y. 


245 


garden, and the colonel then followed his companion up a 
winding staircase that led to a massive door. 

46 This is the place, " remarked his guide. “ I will open 
the door for you, but I don't care to go in. You can make 
your investigation without my assistance." 

“I would rather you accompanied me," replied the 
colonel, who had his reasons for not wishing to appear be- 
fore the two prisoners alone. 

“ As you please." 

Morgan looked for the lock, and as it was rather dark in 
the passage he had considerable difficulty in finding it. 
He succeeded at last. The key he inserted was so rusty * 
that it did not enter the lock very easily, and when he tried 
to turn it it resisted his efforts — a fact which proved be- 
yond a doubt that he had rarely or never made use of this 
key. Marcaudier had his own, and Marcaudier came every 
day. 

The lock finally yielded to the pressure exerted upon it, 
and the door opened; but instead of entering Morgan 
hastily recoiled, for his wife, who had been attracted 
thither by the noise, suddenly appeared before him, 
changed almost beyond recognition by the frightful suffer- 
ings and privations through which she had passed. He 
recognized her, however, and she knew him, for she cried: 

v Wretch! you have come to kill me at last." 

“ No, no," faltered Morgan. 

Ah, well, then kill your daughter too," replied the 
unfortunate woman, pushing Violette forward. 

“ My daughter!" repeated Morgan in profound astonish- 
ment. 

“ Yes, my daughter Simone, whom you stole from me, 
but whom God has restored to me! Look at her! do you 
see the birth-mark on her shoulder: Do you dare to deny 

that it is she?" 

The colonel had kept a little in the background, and the 
prisoners had not perceived his presence; but when he did 


246 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


step forward Violet te threw herself in his arms, crying 
wildly: 

“ Save me! Save me!" 

She might have added: “ from my mother/* for she had 
no idea that the man who had, entered first was her father, 
and it was the insane woman that so terrified her, 

Morgan devoured his daughter with his e}^es, and un- 
doubtedly recognized her, for he stepped toward her and 
offered her his hand. Seeing her draw back with a gest- 
ure of surprise and aversion, he said, curtly: 

“ Very well. I know what I have to do. Sir, I ask 
* you to grant me a quarter of an hour — time to repair the 
wrong I have done." 

And without waiting for a reply he rushed down-stairs, 
leaving the colonel alone with the mother and daughter. 

The demented woman had regained just enough reason 
to realize the terrible wrong that had been done her, and 
she began to shower the fiercest imprecations upon her 
persecutors, while Violette briefly related her strange ad- 
ventures to M. de Mornac. 

The way was clear now, and there was nothing to pre- 
vent the colonel from taking the prisoners from the dun- 
geon in which Marcaudier had confined them. He rather 
shrunk from the idea of taking them out into the street 
and putting them in the carriage dressed as they were, 
but it would not do to leave them here, for Morgan might 
change his mind. 

“ Come,” he said to them, motioning Violette to sup- 
port her mother upon one side while he sustained her on 
the other. 

The unfortunate woman offered no resistance, and they 
descended the stairs three abreast; but when they reached 
the garden the light dazzled her, and her strength seemed 
to fail her, so they were obliged to seat her upon a bench. 

She was perfectly quiet now. The excitement caused by 
Morgan's unexpected visit had given place to a deep torpor. 


CASH OH DELVIERY. 


247 


“ Where is Robert ?” inquired Violette, as she seated 
herself beside her mother. 

6 i He is waiting for me a few steps from here. Have 
you the courage to take your mother home with you in 
her present condition?” 

“ I will not leave her again. But that man — ” 

“ That man is less culpable than you suppose. Besides 
— he is your father.” 

Yiolette burst into tears. 

“ Do you not think with me that it would be better to 
forget the wrong he has done your mother?” 

“ Alas, yes.”’ 

“ Then you will consent to abandon all idea of avenging 
your mother. I approve your decision; but it is not neces- 
sary that he should see you again, and if you are not afraid 
to remain here by yourself for a few moments I will let 
him know your decision — and mine.” 

Violette nodded her assent, and M. de Mornac walked 
straight into the house. 

He met no one in the hall, and seeing an open door he 
entered a room that seemed to be the private office of the 
master of the house; but that gentleman was not there. 

He was about to call him, when a voice cried: 

“ One minute more and I will be at your service/’ 

The sound came from an adjoining room, which was 
separated from the office by a rich curtain, purchased 
probably by Morgan on one of his voyages to the far East. 

M. de Mornac thought he might surely grant a few mo- 
ments to this repentant father, so he walked to a window 
that looked out upon the garden in which the mother and 
daughter were sitting side by side. 

“ Here I am, sir,” said Morgan, entering the room, with 
a large envelope in his hand. 44 Will you be kind enough 
to give this envelope to the person to whom it is addressed? 
It contains the certificate of my daughter's birth, and a 
full description of her, authenticated by the testimony of 


248 


CASH Oi* DELIVERY. 


witnesses, and recorded in the city clerk^s office at Havre, 
shortly after her disappearance, and before I had received 
the false intelligence of her death. With these documents 
she will have no difficulty in establishing her rights; be- 
sides, they will not be contested, for I have just burned my 
will. I have also inclosed in the envelope the certificate of 
my marriage with her mother. Simone Morgan is my le- 
gitimate child, my only child, and consequently the sole 
heiress to all my property.” 

u You have certainly done the handsome thing, mon- 
sieur,” said the colonel, surprised and touched. “ Do you 
desire to see her again?” 

“ See her again! No, it would only pain her.” 

“ She is in the garden.” 

“ Then I can certainly take one more look at my child.” 

He gazed at her in silence for some time, and the 
colonel, who was watching him, saw two big tears roll 
down his swarthy cheeks. 

His emotion transfigured the face of the old corsair, and 
the colonel saw now that he must really have been quite 
handsome in his youth. 

“ She would have loved me,”' muttered Morgan. “ My 
life has been a failure, and it is too late to begin it over 
again. Farewell, sir,” he continued, turning from the win- 
dow. I bear you no ill-will. You have really done me 
a service, and I rely upon you to prevent this affair from 
becoming noised about. I take no interest in Marcaudier, 
and if you deliver him up to justice you will be doing per- 
fectly right. I really think, however, that it would be bet- 
ter to let him go and get hung elsewhere.” 

“ That is my opinion, and — ” 

“ Tell my daughter that I implore her to forgive me, 
and pray for me. ” 

With these concluding words Morgan disappeared behind 
the curtain, and the colonel dared not follow him, though 
he foresaw the possibility of a tragical denouement . 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


249 


Putting the envelope in his pocket, he passed out into 
rdie hall, but he had not descended three stairs when he 
heard the report of a pistol. 

“ Ah!” he said to himself, with a sang-froid Robert de 
Becherel would certainly have envied, “ I thought it would 
end in that way. He has killed himself, and it is a good 
thing I guess. He had the right sort of stuff in him, after 
all. You wouldn't- catch that cur Marcaudier doing the 
same . 99 

He saw nothing of the valet when he reached the hall 
below, so instead of going out into the garden he opened 
the door that led into the street. 

Robert was awaiting him there. 

“ Violette is found,” said the colonel, “ and her mother, 
too. Don’t ask me any questions now, but tell the coach- 
man to drive up to the door. Send the officers away, and 
tell them I will be at the prefecture in an hour. Get up 
on the box beside the driver. I am going to take Violette 
home, and I don’t want her to see you. I won’t have any 
explanations and lover’s transports in the street, nor would 
it be well for the crazy woman to see you. We should only 
have a scene.” 

Becherel obeyed without even a protest, and everything 
passed off as the colonel desired. 

He had certainly done a good morning’s work, this in- 
trepid colonel! Thanks to his efforts, Violette was saved, 
and Robert was troubled with no further fears of losing 
her. There was nothing for them to do now but be 
happy. 


EPILOGUE. 

A year has passed, and Paris has forgotten the story, 
though it must be admitted that it knew only a portion of 
the facts. 

Violette ’s disappearance in the middle of a performance 


25 0 


CASH 01s DELIVERY. 


at the Fantasies Lyriques created a great stir, and fche 
papers talked of nothing else for a week; but nobody sus- 
pected the truth. Everybody attributed it to some love 
affair or a pretty woman's caprice. 

Poor Cochard was the greatest sufferer, but Yiolette, oo 
finding herself the possessor of immense wealth, indemni- 
fied him in the most liberal manner for the pecuniary loss 
the sudden closing of his theater had caused him. 

Herminia and her mother heard of Morgan's death and 
his daughter's reappearance at the same time. 

Their feelings on learning that Morgan had destroyed 
his will before he killed himself may be better imagined 
than described. 

The investigation made by M. de Mornac, after Mor- 
gan's tragical death, told him all he cared to know about 
the infamous scoundrel whom Morgan had enriched, but 
who had been his evil genius. 

Devoted to Josephine Lureau, who was not then a 
countess, Marcaudier had taken advantage of his bene- 
factor's absence to kidnap Simone, with the assistance 
of Rembriche, whom he had afterward rewarded by 
taking into his service. It was Rembriche who had 
taken the child to Rennes, and left her on a public prome- 
nade in that city; and Marcaudier had taken advantage of 
the distress of mind into which this misfortune had 
plunged Morgan to induce him to deprive his poor, par- 
tially demented wife of her freedom. He had offered to 
take charge of her, and Heaven only knows the sufferings 
and privations he had imposed upon her! 

This in itself would have more than sufficed to insure his 
arrest and subsequent imprisonment, but M. de Mornac^ 
after a consultation with his friend at the prefecture, de- 
cided not to seek any legal redress on account of Violette, 
who would be obliged to testify before the court that tried 
her mother's persecutor; but the wretch, on finding that 
his guilt had been discovered and that he was likely to be 


CASH ON DELIVERY. 


251 


arrested at any moment, tied from the country as rapidly 
as steam would take him, and is now carrying on his old 
business of usury in England. He may prosper on the 
other side of the Channel, but in France no one regrets 
him, not even Julia Pannetier, who has found consolation 
in the devotion of Florimond, the handsome tenor of the 
Fantasies Lyriques. 

But though the gallant colonel had accomplished won- 
ders, he had a far more difficult task to perform. 

He was now of the opinion that his young friend should 
marry Violet te, but how was Mme. de Becherel to be in- 
duced to consent to his son's marriage with the daughter 
of an insane woman and a former slave-trader? 

Morgan had died without leaving any trace, so to speak. 
He was scarcely known in France, and the origin of his 
wealth was already forgotten. But the mother was living, 
and there was no hope of her recovery. Indeed, after a 
few days of comparative sanity, her condition became so 
much worse that it was necessary to place her in a private 
insane asylum. 

But God, in His infinite mercy, granted this poor suffer- 
ing soul rest at last, and about a month afterward she died 
peacefully and quietly in Simone's arms. 

Violette's past remained a past irreproachable, so far as 
conduct was concerned, but marred by a single brief ap- 
pearance on the boards of a Parisian theater. Immense 
importance is attached to such crimes as this, in the 
provinces, and a woman is regarded with suspicion merely 
from the fact that she has been an actress, if only for a 
single day. It is needless to say that Mme. de Becherel 
fully agreed with her most bigoted compatriots in this 
matter. 

The .colonel adopted a very sensible plan. He went to 
Rennes, and instead of making a direct appeal to Mme. de 
Becherel, went straight to the superior of the Convent of 
the Visitation. That venerable lady, who retained a very 


252 


CASH OH DELIVERY. 


favorable recollection of her former protege, admitted the 
justice of the colonel’s arguments, and finally consented to 
serve as an intermediary between him and Robert’s mother. 
It would be almost too much to say that Mile. Morgan’s 
millions did not influence Mme. de Becherel somewhat in 
her decision — for in Brittany the power of money is uni- 
versally conceded — but if Yiolette had had fifty millions 
and a blemish on her past, she would never have married 
the last scion of one of the oldest families in Brittany with 
his mother’s consent. 

Violet te and Robert were married in Paris the following 
autumn, and spent the winter in Rennes, where everybody 
petted and made much of the beautiful bride. 

They are rebuilding the old ch&teau of the Becherels in 
the Prevalaye, and the newly married pair will reside there. 
Jean has been promoted to the dignity of valet-de-chambre , 
and tells all the country youths of his acquaintance that 
Paris girls are deceitful hussies. 

Herminia, they say, is about to marry a gentleman who 
has just spent all the money he had left in purchasing a 
foreign title, so she seems likely to be a countess — like her 
mother. 

The colonel has resumed his former habits. He rides 
every day, and dances attendance upon all the handsome 
widows of his acquaintance; but he has agreed to spend 
two months of every summer with his young friends, and 
whenever he meets Robert in Paris, where the newly mar- 
ried couple go quite often, he never fails to say to him: 

44 You still owe me satisfaction, recollect. You must be 
prepared to receive a visit from my seconds at any time.” 


THE EHD. 


A DVERTISEMENTS. 


From NEW YORK SUN, Dec. 15, 1886. 

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“It is not the quantity sold that alone indicates the value of the goods,” a 
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communin'. Men do not imitate in that way a worthless article.” 


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843 Archie Lovell. By Mrs. Annie 

Edwards 20 

395 Archipelago on Fire, The. By 

Jules Verne 10 

532 Arden Court. Barbara Graham 20 
247 Armourer’s Prentices, The. By 

Charlotte M. Yonge * 10 

813 Army Society. Life in a Garri- 
son Town. By John Strange 

Winter 30 

224 Arundel Motto, The. By Mary 

Cecil Hay 20 

347 As Avon Flows. By Henry Scott 

Vince 20 

541 “ As it Fell Upon a Day.” By 
“The Duchess” 10 


THE SEASIDE LIBRARY. -Pocket Edition, 


560 Asphodel. By Miss M. E. Brad- 

don 

540 At a High Price. By E. Werner 
352 At Any Cost. By Edvv. Garrett 
564 At Bay. Bv Mrs. Alexander. . . 
528 At His Gates. By Mrs. Oliphant 
192 At the World’s Mercy. By F. 

Warden 

287 At War With Herself. By Char- 
lotte M. Braeme, author of 

“ Dora Thorne ” , . . 

923 At War With Herself. By Char- 
lotte M. Braeme, author of 
“ Dora Thorne.” Large type 

edition 

737 Aunt Rachel. By David Christie 

Murrey 

760 Aurelian ; or. Rome in the Third 
Century. By William Ware . 
74 Aurora Floyd. By Miss M. E. 
Brad don 

730 Autobiography of Benjamin 

Franklin, The 

328 Bahiole, the Pretty Milliner. 
(Translated from the French 
of Fortune Du Boisgobey.) 

First half 

•328 Bahiole, the Pretty Milliner. 
(Translated from the French 
of Fortune Du Boisgobey.) 

Second half 

241 Baby’s Grandmother, The. By 

L. B. Walford 

342 Baby. The. By “The Duchess” 

611 Babylon. By Cecil Power 

443 Bachelor of the Albany, The... 
683 Bachelor Vicar of Newforth, 
The. By Mrs. J. Harcourt Roe 
$71 Bachelor’s Blunder, A. By W. 

E. Norris 

65 Back to the Old Home. By 

Mar£ Cecil Hay 

647 Bad to Beat. By Hawley Smart 
834 Ballroom Repentance, A. By 

Mrs. Annie Edwards 

551 Barbara Hearheote's Trial. By 

Rosa Nouchette Carey 

99 Barbara's History. By Amelia 

B Edwards 

234 Barbara; or. Splendid Misery. 

By Miss M. E. Braddon 

91 Barnaby Rudge. By Charles 

Dickens. First half 

91 Barnaby Rudge. By Charles 

Dickens. Second half 

653 Barren Title, A. T. W. Speight 

731 Bayou Bride. The. By Mrs. 

Mary E. Bn an 

794 Beaton’s Bargain. By Mrs. Al- 
exander 

717 Beau Tancrede; or, the Mar- 
riage Verdict. By Alexander 

Dumas 

29 Beauty's Daughters. B 3 r ‘‘The 

Duchess ” 

86 Belinda. By Rhoda Broughton 
593 Berna Boyle. By Mrs. J. H. 
Riddell 


Betrothed, The. (I Promessi 
Sp<»si,) Alessandro Manzoni. 20 
Betty's Visions. By Rhoda 


Broughton 10 

Between the Heather and the 
Northern Sea. By M. Linskill 20 
Between Two Loves. By Char- 
lotte M. Braeme, author of 

“Dora Thorne” 20 

Between Two Sins; or, Married 
in Haste. By Charlotte M. 
Braeme, author of “Dora 

Thorne ” 10 

Betwixt My Love and Me. By 
the author of “A Golden Bar” 10 

Beyond Pardon ; 20 

Beyond Recall. By Adeline Ser- 
geant 10 

Birds of Prey. By Miss M. E. 

Braddon 20 

Bit of Human Nature, A. By 

David Christie Murray 10 

Bitter Atonement, A. By Char- 
lotte M. Braeme, author of 

“ Dora Thorne ” 20 

Bitter Reckoning. A. By the au- 
thor of “By Crooked Paths ” 10 
Black Dwarf, The. By Sir 

Walter Scott 20 

Blatchford Bequest, The. By 
Hugh Conway, author of 

“Called Back” 10 

Bleak House. By Charles Dick- 
ens. First half 20 

Bleak House. By Charles Dick- 
ens. Second half 20 

Blue-Stocking, A. By Mrs. An- 
nie Edwards 10 


Boulderstone ; or, New Men and 
Old Populations. By W. Sirne 10 
Bound by a Spell. Hugh Con- 
way, author of “Called Hack” 20 


Cl » i. U • X V/ 

Cooper 20 

Bride from the Sea, A. By 
Charlotte M. Braeme, author 

of “ Dora Thorne ” 10 

Bride of Lammermoor, The. 

By Sir Walter Scott 20 

Bride of Monte Cristo. The. A 
Sequel to “ The Count of 
Monte-Oristo.” By Alexan- 
der Dumas 10 

Bridge of Love, A. By Char- 
lotte M. Braeme, author of 

“ Dora Thorne ” 10 

Bright Star of Life, The. By 

B. L. Farjeon 20 

Britta. By George Temple 10 

Broken Wedding-Ring, A. By 
Charlotte M. Braeme, author 

of “ Dora Thorne ” .20 

Bulldog and Butterfly, and Julia 
and Her Romeo. By David 

Christie Murray 20 

By Mead and Stream. By Chas. 

Gibbon 20 

By the Gate of the Sea. By D. 
Christie Murray IQ 


581 

20 

20 862 

10 

10 620 

20 

406 

10 

476 

10 

483 

20 

308 

10 257 

20 553 

20 320 

10 411 

430 

20 353 

302 

20 

106 

10 

10 106 

20 

10 842 

20 429 

20 830 

10 394 

10 

299 

20 

20 362 

20 259 

20 

20 800 

20 

10 907 

20 642 

54 

20 

898 

20 

10 317 

20 

58 

20 

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THE SEASIDE LIBRARY.— Pocket Edition. 


739 Caged Lion, The. By Charlotte 

M. Yonge 20 

240 Called Back. By Hugh Conway It 
602 Camiola: A Girl With a Fortune. 

By Justin McCarthy 20 

186 Canon’s Ward, The. By James 

Payn 20 

149 Captain’s Daughter, The. From 

the Russian of Pushkin 10 

159 Captain Norton’s Diary. By 

Florence Marryat 10 

555 Cara Roma. By Miss Grant 20 

711 Cardinal Sin, A. By Hugh Con- 
waj 7 , author of ‘'Called 
Back” 20 

502 Carriston’s Gift. By Hugh 
Conway, author of “Called 

Back” 10 

917 Case of Reuben Malachi, The. 

By H. Sutherland Edwards. . 10 
364 Castle Dangerous. By Sir Wal- 
ter Scott 10 

770 Castle of Otranto, The. By 

Horace Walpole. 10 

746 Cavalry Life; or. Sketches and 
Stories in Barracks and Out. 

By J. S. Winter 20 

419 Cliainbearer, The; or, The Lit- 
tlepage Manuscripts. By J. 

Fenimore Cooper 20 

783 Chantry House. By Charlotte 

M. Yonge 20 

790 Chaplet of Pearls. The; or. The 
White and Black Ribaumonr. 


Charlotte M. Yonge. 1st half 20 
790 Chaplet of Pearls, The ; or. The 
White and Black Ribaumont. 
Charlotte M. Yonge. 2d half 20 

212 Charles O’Malley, the Irish 
Dragoon. By Charles Lever. 


First half 20 

212 Charles O’Malley, the Irish 
Dragoon. By Charles Lever. 

Second half 20 

554 Charlotte’s Inheritance. (A Se- 
quel to “ Birds of Prey.”) By 

Miss M. E. Braddon 20 

61 Charlotte Temple. By Mrs. 

Rowson '. 10 

588 Cherry. By the author of “ A 

Great Mistake” 10 

713 “ Cherry Ripe.” By Helen B. 

Mathers 20 

719 Childe Harold’s - Pilgrimage. 

By Lord Byron 10 

882 Children of Gibeon. ByAValter 

Besant 20 

920 Child of the Revolution, A. By 
the author of “ Mademoiselle 

Mori ” 20 

676 Child’s History of England, A. 

By Charles Dickens 20 

657 Christmas Angel. By B. L. Far- 

jeon 10 

631 Christowell. By R. D. Blackmore 20 
507 Chronicles of the Canongate, 
and Other Stories. By Sir 
Walter Scott 10 


632 Clara Vaughan. By R. D. Black- 

more 20 

33 Clique of Gold, The. By Emile 

Gaboriau * 10 

782 Closed Door, The. By F. Du 

Boisgobey. 1st half 20 

782 Closed Doo", The. By F. Du 

Boisgobey. 2d half 20 

499 Cloven Foot, The. By Miss M. 

E. Braddon 20 

493 Colonel Enderby’s Wife. By 

Lucas Malet 20 

769 Cometh Up as a Flower. By 

Rlioda Broughton 20 

221 Coinin’ Thro’ the Rye. By Helen 

B. Mathers 20 

523 Consequences of a Duel, The. 

By F. Du Boisgobey 20 

547 Coquette’s Conquest, A. By 

Basil 20 

104 Coral Pin, The. By F. Du Bois- 
gobey. 1st half 20 

104 Coral Pin, The. By F. Du Bois- 
gobey. 2d half 20 

598 Corinna. By "Rita” 10 

262 Count of Monte-Cristo, The. 

By Alexander Dumas. Part I 20 
262 Count of Monte-Cristo. The. 

By Alexander Dumas. Part II 20 
687 Country Gentleman, A. By Mrs. 

Oliphant 20 

590 Courting of Mary Smith, The. 

By F. W. Robinson 20 


787 Court Royal. A Story of Cross 

Currents. By S. Baring-Gould 20 
258 Qousins. By L. B. Walford .... 20 
649 Cradle and Spade. By William 


Sime 20 

630 Cradock Nowell. By R. D. 

Blackmore. First half 20 

630 Cradock Nowell. By R. D. 

Blackmore. Second half.... 20 
108 Cricket on the Hearth, The. 

By Charles Dickens 10 

376 Crime of Christmas Day, The. 

B3 7 the author of “ My Ducats 

and My Daughter ” 10 

706 Crimson Stain, A. By Annie 

Bradshaw 10 

629 Cripps, the Carrier. By R. D. 

Blackmore ”. 20 

851 Cry of Blood, The. By F. Du 

Boisgobey. First half 20 

851 Cry of Blood, The. By F. Du 

Boisgobe} 7 . Second half 20 


504 Curly : An Actor’s Story. By 

John Coleman. Illustrated. 10 
544 Cut by the County; or, Grace 
Darnel. By Miss M. E. Brad- 
don 10 

826 Cynic Fortune. By D. Christie 

Murray 20 


446 Dame Durden. By “Rita”... 20 
34 Daniel Deronda. By George 

Eliot. First half 20 

34 Daniel Deronda. By George 
Eliot. Second half — ...... 20 


XJXJ-j — LjX Till + Lll .1 . 


x vubou ■ n/ibMucrm. 


301 Dark Days. By Hugh Conway 10 
609 Dark House, The: A Knot Un- 
raveled. By G. Manville Fenn 10 
81 Daughter of Heth, A. Bj- Will- 
iam Black 20 

251 Daughter of the Stars, The, and 
Other Tales. By Hugh Con- 
way, author of “ Called 

Back ” 10 

22 David Copperfield. By Charles 

Dickens. Vol. 1 20 

22 David Copperfield. By Charles 
Dickens. Vol. II 20 

527 Days of My Life. The.’ By Mrs. 

Oliphant 20 

305 Dead Heart, A. By Charlotte 
M. Braeme, author of “ Dora 

Thorne ” 20 

374 Dead Man’s Secret, The ; or, The 
Adventures of a Medical Stu- 
dent. By Dr. Jupiter Paeon. . 20 
567 Dead Men’s Shoes. By Miss M. 

E. Braddon 20 

286 Deldee ; or. The Iron Hand. By 

F. Warden 20 

115 Diamond Cut Diamond. By T. 

Adolphus Trollope 10 

744 Diana Carew ; or. For a Wom- 
an's Sake. By Mrs. Forrester 20 
350 Diana of the Crossways. By 

George Meredith 10 

478 Diavola; or. Nobody’s Daugh- 
ter. By Miss M. E. Braddon. 

Part I 20 

478 Diavola; or. Nobody’s Daugh- 
ter. By Miss M. E. Braddon. 
Part II 20 

87 Dick Sand; or, A Captain at 

Fifteen. By Jules Verne 20 

486 Dick’s Sweetheart. By “The 

Duchess ” 20 

536 Dissolving Views. By Mrs. An- 
drew Lang 10 

185 Dita. By Lady Margaret Ma- 

jendie 10 

894 Doctor Cupid. By Rhoda 

Broughton 20 

594 Doctor Jacob. By Miss Betham- 

Ed wards 20 

108 Doctor Marigold. By Charles 

Dickens 10 

529 Doctor’s Wife, The. By Miss M. 

E. Braddon 20 

721 Dolores. By Mrs. Forrester. . . 20 
107 Dombey and Son. By Charles 

Dickens. First half 20 

107 Dombey and Son. By Charles 

Dickens. Second half 20 

282 Donal Grant. By George Mac- 
Donald 20 

671 Don Gesuaklo. By “ Ouida.”. . 10 
779 Doom ! An Atlantic Episode. 

By Justin H. McCarthy, M.P. 10 
51 Dora Thorne. By Charlotte M. 

Braeme 20 

284 Doris. By “ The Duchess ’’ — 10 
820 Doris's Fortune. By Florence 
Warden 10 


230 Dorothy Forster. By Walter 

Besant 20 

678 Dorothy’s Venture. By Mary 

Cecil Hay 20 

665 Dove in the Eagle’s Nest, The. 

By Charlotte M. Yonge 20 

585 Dra!wn Game, A. By Basil 20 

151 Ducie Diamonds, The. By C. 

Blatherwick 10 

549 Dudley Carleon ; or, The Broth- 
er's Secret. By Miss M. E. 

Braddon 10 

855 Dynamiter, The. By Robert 
Louis Stevenson and Fanny 
Van de Grift Stevenson 20 

465 Earl’s Atonement, The. By 
Charlotte M. Braeme, author 

of “ Dora Thorne ” 20 

8 East Lynne. By Mrs. Henry 

Wood 20 

827 Effie Ogilvie. By Mrs. Oliphant 20 
685 England under Gladstone. 1880 
—1885. By Justin H. McCar- 
thy, M.P 20 

521 Entangled. By E. Fairfax 

Byrrne 20 

625 Erema; or, My Father’s Sin. 

By R. D. Blackmore 20 

118 Eric Dering. “ The Duchess ” 10 
96 Erling the Bold. By R. M. Bal- 

lantyne 10 

90 Ernest Maltravers. B} r Sir E. Bul- 

wer Lytton 20 

786 Ethel Mildmay’s Follies. Bj" 
author of “ Petite's Romance ” 20 
162 Eugene Aram. By Sir E. Bulwer 

Lytton 20 

764 Evil Genius, The. By Wilkie 

Collins 20 

470 Evelyn’s Folly. By Charlotte 
M. Braeme, author of “Dora 

Thorne ” 20 

62 Executor, The. By Mrs. Alex- 
ander ", 20 

13 Eyre’s Acquittal. By Helen B. 
Mathers 10 


319 Face to Face : A Fact in Seven 

Fables. By R. E. Francillon. 10 
877 Facing the Footlights. By Flor- 
ence Marry at 20 

538 Fair Country Maid, A. By E. 

Fairfax Byrrne . . . . 20 

905 Fair-Haired Alda, The. By Flor- 
ence Marry at 20 

261 Fair Maid, A. By F. W. Robin- 
son 20 

417 Fair Maid of Perth, The; or, 

St. Valentine’s Day. By Sir 

Walter Scott 20 

626 Fair Mystery, A. By Charlotte 
M. Braeme, author of “ Dora 

Thorne ” 20 

727 P'air Women. By Mrs. Forrester 20 
30 Faith and Unfaith. By “ The 

Duchess” .* 20 

( 4 ) 


THE SEASIDE LIBRARY.— Pocket Edition . 


819 Fallen Idol, A. By F. Anstey. . . 
543 Family Affair, A. By Hugh 
Conway, author of “Called 

Back ”. 

338 -Family Difficulty, The. By Sa- 
rah Doudney 

690 Far From the Madding Crowd. 

By Thomas Hardy 

798 Fashion of this World, The. By 

Heien B. Mathers 

680 Fast and Loose. By Arthur 

Griffiths 

246 Fatal Dower, A. By the Author 
of “His Wedded Wife” 

299 Fatal Lilies, The. By Charlotte 
M. Braeme, author of “ Dora 

Thorne” 

548 Fatal Marriage, A. By Miss 

M. E. Braddou 

693 Felix Holt, the Radical. By 

George Eliot 

542 Fenton’s Quest. By Miss M. E. 

Braddon 

7 File No. 113. By Emile Gabo- 

riau 

575 Finger of Fate, The. By Cap- 
tain Mayne Reid 

95 Fire Brigade, The. By R. M. 

Ballantyne 

674 First Person Singular. By Da- 
vid Christie Murray 

199 Fisher Village, The. By Anne 

579 Flower of Doom, The, and 
Other Stories. By M. Betliam- 
Edwards 

745 For Another’s Sin ; or, A Strug- 
gle for Love. By Charlotte M. 
Braeme, author of “ Dora 

Thorne ” 

156 “ For a Dream’s Sake.” By Mrs. 

Herbert Martin 

173 Foreigners, The. By Eleanor C. 

Price 

197 For Her Dear Sake. By Mary 

Cecil Hay 

150 For Himself Alone. By T. W. 

Speight 

278 For Life and Love. By Alison. 
608 For Lilias. By Rosa Nouchette 

Carey 

712 For Maimie’s Sake. By Grant 

Allen 

586 “ For Percival.” By Margaret 

Veley 

171 Fortune’s Wheel. By “ The 
Duchess ” 

468 Fortunes, Good and Bad, of a 
Sewing-Girl, The. By Char- 
lotte M. Stanley 

216 Foul Play. By Charles Reade . 
438 Found Out. By Helen B. 

Mathers 

333 Frank Fairlegh; or, Scenes 
From the Life of a Private 
Pupil. By Frank E. Smedley 
805 Freres, The. By Mrs. Alex- 
ander. 1st half 


Freres, The. By Mrs. Alex- 
ander. 2d half 20 

Friendship. By “Ouida” 20 

From Gloom to Sunlight; or 
From Out the Gloom. By 
Charlotte M. Braeme, author 

of “Dora Thorne” 10 

From Olympus to Hades. By 

Mrs. Forrester 20 

From Post to Finish. A Racing 
Romance. By Hawley Smart 20 

Gambler’s Wife, The 20 

Gascoyne, the Sandal-Wood 
Trader. By R. M. Ballantyne 20 
George Caulfield’s Journe}^. 

By Miss M. E. Braddon 10 

George Christy; or. The Fort- 
unes of a Minstrel. By Tony 

Pastor 20 

Gerald. By Eleanor C. Price.. 20 
Ghost of Charlotte Cray, The, 
and Other Stories. By Flor- 


• • 

Ghost’s Touch, The. By Wilkie 

Collins 10 

Giant’s Robe, The. By F. Anstej' 20 
Gilded Sin, A. By Charlotte 
M. Braeme, author of “ Dora 

Thorne ” 10 

Girl at the Gate, The. By 

Wilkie Collins 10 

Girls of Feversham, The. By 

Florence Manyat 20 

Girton Girl, A. By Mrs. Annie 

Edwards 20 

Glorious Fortune, A. By Wal- 
ter Besant 10 

Goblin Gold. By May Crom- 

melin 10 

Godfrey Helstone. By Georgi- 

ana M. Craik 20 

Golden Bells: A Peal in Seven 
Changes. By R. E. Francillon 20 
Golden Calf, The. By Miss M. 

E. Braddon 20 

Golden Dawn, A. By Charlotte 
M. Braeme, author of “ Dora 

Thorne” 10 

Golden Flood, The. By R. E. 

Francillon and Wm. Senior.. 10 
“ Golden Girls.” By Alan Muir 20 
Golden Heart, A. By Charlotte 
M. Braeme, author of “Dora 

Thorne”. 10 

Golden Hope, The. By W. Clark 

Russell. First half 20 

Golden Hope, The. By W. Clark 

Russel. Second half 20 

Golden Lion of Granpere, The. 

By Anthony Trollope 20 

“Good-bye, Sweetheart!” By 

Rhoda Broughton 20 

Good Hater, A. By Frederick 

Boyle 20 

Good-Natured Man, The. By 
Oliver Goldsmith 10 


20 805 

226 

20 288 

10 

20 732 

10 348 

20 

10 

285 

772 

10 549 

10 365 

20 . 

20 331 

208 

20 

20 613 

10 225 

300 

20 

10 5 08 

867 

10 644 

140 

20 647 

20 450 

20 911 

20 153 

10 306 

20 656 

20 172 

20 893 

10 916 

916 

10 

20 *667 

10 758 

356 

20 

801 

20 


JL VIUVV JlJJWVVW t V* 


710 Greatest Heiress in England, 

The. By Mrs. Oliphant 

439 Great Expectations. By Charles 

Dickens 

135 Great Heiress, A : A Fortune in 
Seven Checks. By R. E. Fran- 

cillon 

244 Great Mistake, A. By the author 

of “ Cherry ” 

170 Great Treason, A. By Mary 

Hoppus 

751 Great Voyages and Great Navi- 
gators. Jules Verne. 1st half 
751 Great Voyages and Great Navi- 
gators. Jules Verne. 2d half 
138 Green Pastures and Piccadilly. 

By Wm. Black 

231 Griffith Gaunt; or. Jealousy. 

By Charles Reade 

677 Griselda. By the author of “A 

Woman’s Love-Story” 

896 Guilty River, The. By Wilkie 
Collins 


597 Haco the Dreamer. By William 

Sime 

668 Half-Way. An Anglo-French 

Romance 

663 Handy Andy. By Samuel Lover 
84 Hard Times. By Clias. Dickens 
622 Harry Heathcote of Gangoil. By 

Anthony Trollope 

191 Harry Lorrequer. By Charles 

Lever ." 

569 Harry Muir. By Mrs. Oliphant 
873 Harvest of Wild Oats, A. By 

Florence Marryat 

785 Haunted Chamber, The. By 

“ The Duchess ” 

169 Haunted Man, The. By Charles 

Dickens 

533 Hazel Kirke. By Marie Walsh 
385 Headsman, The; or, The Ab- 
baye des Vignerons. By J. 

Fenimore Cooper 

811 Head Station, The. By Mrs. 

Campbell-Praed 

572 Healey. By Jessie Fothergill. 
167 Heart and Science. By Wilkie 

Collins 

444 Heart of Jane Warner, The. By 

Florence Marryat 

391 Heart of Mid-Lothian, The. By 

Sir Walter Scott 

695 Hearts: Queen, Knave, and 

Deuce. By David Christie 

Murray 

741 Heiress of Hilldrop, The; or, 
The Romance of a Young 
Girl. By Charlotte M. Braeme, 
author of “ Dora Thorne ”... 
823 Heir of the Ages, The. B} r James 

Payn 

689 Heir Presumptive, The. By 

Florence Marryat 

513 Helen Whitney’s Wedding, and 
Other Tales. By Mrs. Henry 
Wood 


Henrietta’s Wish; or, Domi- 
neering. By Charlotte M. 

Yonge 10 

Her Dearest Foe. By Mrs. Alex- 
ander. First half 20 

Her Dearest Foe. By Mrs. Alex- 
ander. Second half 20 

Her Gentle Deeds. By Sarah 

Tytler 10 

Heritage of Langdale, The. By 

Mrs. Alexander 20 

Her Lord and Master. By Flor- 
ence Marryat 20 

Her Martyrdom. By Charlotte 
M. Braeme, author of “ Dora 

Thorne” 7 20 

Her Mother’s Sin. By Charlotte 
M. Braeme, author of “Dora 

Thorne” 10 

Her Own Doing. W. E. Norris 10 
Hidden Perils. Mary Cecil Hay 10 

Hidden Sin, The. A Novel 20 

Hidden Terror, A. By Mary 

Albert. 1st half 20 

Hidden Terror, A. By Mary 

Albert. 2d half 20 

Hilary’s Folly; or. Her Mar- 
riage Vow.' By Charlotte M. 
Braeme, author of “Dora 

Thorne” 10 

Hilda; or, The False Vow. By 
Charlotte M. Braeme, author 

of “ Dora Thorne ” 10 

Hilda; or. The False Vow. By 
Charlotte M. Braeme, author 
of “Dora Thorne.” (Large 

tj'pe edition) 20 

History of a Week, The. By 

Mrs. L. B. Walford .’. 10 

History of Henry Esmond. The. 

By William M. Thackeray .. . 20 
His Wedded Wife. By author 

of “A Fatal Dower ” 20 

Holy Rose, The. By Walter Be- 

sant 10 

Homeward Bound; or, The 

Chase. By J. F. Cooper 20 

Home as Found. (Sequel to 
“ Homeward Bound.”) ByJ. 
Fenimore Cooper 20 


Hopes and Fears; or. Scenes 
from the Life of a Spinster. 
Charlotte M. Yonge. 1st half 20 
Hopes and Fears; or. Scenes 
from the Life of a Spinster. 
Charlotte M. Yonge. 2d half 20 
Hostages to Fortune. By Miss 


M. E. Braddon 20 

Houp-La. By John Strange 

Winter. (Illustrated) 10 

House Divided Against Itself, 

A. By Mrs. Oliphant 20 

House on the Marsh, The. By 

F. Warden 10 

House on the Moor, The. By 

Mrs. Oliphant 20 

House Party, A. By “ Ouida ”. 10 
House That Jack Built, The. 

By Alison 10 


535 

20 

20 806 

806 

10 

160 

20 

814 

30 

860 

20 

576 

20 

20 19 

20 

824 

20 196 

518 

10 933 

933 

10 297 

20 

20 

10 294 

10 

928 

20 

20 

20 658 

10 165 

10 461 

20 

904 

20 378 

20 379 

20 

20 800 

20 

800 

20 

552 

20 

600 

703 

20 , 

248 

20 

351 

20 

874 

481 

10 

( 6 ) 


THE SEASIDE LIBRARY. -Pocket Edition. 


754 How to be Happy Though Mar- 
ried. By a Graduate in the 

University of Matrimony 20 

748 Hurrish: A Study. By the 

Hon. Emily Lawless 20 

198 Husband’s Story, A 10 

389 Ichabod. A Portrait. By Bertha 

Thomas 10 

188 Idonea. By Anne Beale 20 

807 If Love Be Love. D. Cecil Gibbs 20 

715 I Have Lived and Loved. By 

Mrs. Forrester 20 

762 Impressions of Theophrastus 
Such. By George Eliot 10 

303 Ingledew House. By Charlotte 

M. Braeme, author of “ Dora 

Thorne’ 1 10 

796 In a Grass Country. By Mrs. 

H. Lovett Cameron 20 

304 In Cupid’s Net. By Charlotte 

M. Braeme, author of “ Dora 

Thorne ” 10 

404 In Durance Vile, and Other 
Stories. By “ The Duchess ” 10 
324 In Luck at Last. By Walter 

Besant 10 

672 In Maremma. By Ouida.” 1st 


672 In Maremma. Ouida. 11 2d 

half 20 

604 Innocent: A Tale of Modern 
Life. By Mrs. Olipliant. First 

Half 20 

604 Innocent: A Tale of Modern 
Life. By Mrs. Olipliant. Sec- 
ond Half 20 

577 In Peril and Privation. By 

James Payn 10 

638 In Quarters with the 25th (The 
Black Horse) Dragoons. By 

J. S. Winter 10 

759 In Shallow Waters. By Annie 

A rmitt oq 

39 In Silk Attire. By Wiiliam Black 20 
738 In the Golden Daj^s. By Edna 

Lyall 20 

682 In the Middle Watch. By W. 

Clark Russell 20 

452 In the West Couutrie. By May 

Crommelin 20 

383 Introduced to Society. By Ham- 
ilton Aide 10 

122 lone Stewart. By Mrs. E Lynn 

Linton ~. . . . 20 

233 “ I Say No;” or, The Love-Let- 
ter Answered. By Wilkie Col- 
lins 20 

235 “ It is Never Too Late to Mend.” 

By Charles Reade 20 

28 Ivanhoe. By Sir Walter Scott. 20 


534 Jack. By Alphonse Daudet 20 

752 Jackanapes, and Other Stories. 

By Juliana Horatio Ewing. . . 10 
416 Jack Tier ; or, The Florida Reef. 

By J. Fenimore Cooper 20 


743 Jack’s Courtship. By W. Clark 

Russell. 1st half 20 

743 Jack’s Courtship. By W. Clark 

Russell. 2d half 20 

519 James Gordon’s Wife, A Novel 20 
15 Jane Eyre. By Charlotte Bront6 20 
728 Janet s Repentance. By George 

Eliot 10 

142 Jenifer. By Annie Thomas 20 

841 Jet: Her Face or Her Fortune? 

By Mrs. Annie Edwards 10 

767 Joan. By Rhoda Broughton. . 20 
914 Joan Wentworth. By Katha- 
rine S. Macquoid 20 

357 John. By Mrs. Olipliant 20 

203 John Buil and His Island. By 

Max O’Rell 10 

289 John Bull’s Neighbor in Her 
True Light. By a “Brutal 

Saxon ” • 10 

11 John Halifax, Gentleman. By 

Miss Mulock 20 

209 John Holdsworth, Chief Mate. 

By W. Clark Russell 10 

694 John Maidment. By Julian 

Sturgis 20 

570 John Marchmont’s Legacy. By 

Miss M. E. Braddon 20 

488 Joshua Haggard's Daughter. 

By Miss M. E. Braddon 20 

619 Joy; or, The Light of Cold- 
Home Ford. B} t May Crom- 
melin 20 

265 Judith Shakespeare: Her Love 
Affairs and Other Advent- 


ures. By William Black 20 

332 Judith Wynne. By author of 

“ Lady Lovelace ” 20 

80 June. By Mrs. Forrester 20 

561 Just As I Am ; or, A Living Lie. 

By Miss M. E. Braddon 20 


832 Kidnapped. By Robert Louis 

Stevenson 20 

857 Kildee; or, The Sphinx of the 
Red House. By Mary E. 

Bryau. First half 20 

857 Kildee; or, The Sphinx of the 
Red House. By Mary E. 

Bryan. Second half 20 

126 Ivilmeny. By William Black.. 20 
80' King Arthur. Not a Love Story. 

By Miss Mulock 20 

753 King Solomon's Mines. By H. 

Rider Haggard 20 

435 Klytia : A Story of Heidelberg 

Castle. By George Taylor... 20 


733 Lady Branksmere. By “ The 

Duchess” 20 

35 Lady Audlev’s Secret. By Miss 

M. E. Braddon 20 

219 Lady Clare; or. The Master of 
the Forges From the French 
of Georges Ohnet 10 


TEE SEASIDE LIBRARY.— Pocket Edition. 


469 Lady Darner’s Secret: or, A 
Guiding Star. By Charlotte 
M. Braeme, author of “ Dora 
Thorne ” 

268 Lady Gay’s Pride; or. The Mi- 

ser’s Treasure. By Mrs. Alex. 

McVeigh Miller 

305 Lady Gwendoline’s Dream. By 
Charlotte M. Braeme, author 
of “ Dora Thorne ” 

506 Lady Lovelace. By the author 

of “Judith Wynne” 

155 Lady Muriel’s Secret. By Jean 

Middlemas 

161 Lady of Lyons, The. Founded 
on the Play of that title by 
Lord Lytton 

497 Lady’s Mile, The. By Miss M. 

E. Braddon ! 

875 Lady Valworth's Diamonds. By 

“ Tiie Duchess ” 

652 Lady With the Rubies, The. By 
E. Marlitt 

269 Lancaster s Choice. By Mrs. 

Alex. McVeigh Miller 

599 Lancelot Ward, M.P. By George 
Temple 

32 Land Leaguers, The. By An- 
thony Trollope 

684 Last Days at Apswich 

40 Last Days of Pompeii, The. By 

Bulwer Lytton 

130 Last of the Barons, The, By Sir 
E. Bulwer Lytton. 1st half. . 
130 Last of the Barons, The. By Sir 
E. Bulwer Lytton. 2d half.. 
60 Last of the Mohicans, The. By 

J. Fenimore Cooper 

921 Late Miss Hollingford, The. 
By Rosa Mulhollaud 

267 Laurel Vane; or, The Girls’ 
Conspiracy. By Mrs. Alex. 

McVeigh Miller 

455 Lazarus in London. By F. W. 

Robinson 

839 Leah : A Woman of Fashion. 

By Mrs. Annie Edwards 

386 Led Astray ; or, “ La Petite 
Comtesse.” Octave Feuillet. 
353 Legend of Montrose, A. By Sir 
Walter Scott 

164 Leila; or, The Siege of Grenada. 

By Bulwer Lytton 

885 Les Mis6rables. Victor Hugo. 

Part 1 

885 Les MisSrables. Victor Hugo. 

Part II 

885 Les Mis6rables. Victor Hugo. 
Part III 

408 Lester’s Secret. By Mary Cecil 

Hay 

562 Lewis Arundel; or, The Rail- 
road of Life. By Frank E. 

Smedley 

437 Life and Adventures of Martin 
Chuzzlewit. By Charles Dick- 
ens. First half .... 


Life and Adventures of Martin 
Chuzzlewit. B}' Charles Dick- 
ens. Second half 20 

Life and Travels of Mungo 

Park, The 10 

Life’s Atonement, A. By David 

Christie Murray 20 

Like Dian’s Kiss. By “Rita”. 20 
Like no Other Love. By Char- 
lotte M. Braeme, author of 

“ Dora Thorne ” 10 

Lilliesleaf : or, Passages in the 
Life of Mrs. Margaret Mait- 
land of Sunnyside. By Mrs. 

Oliphant 20 

Lionel Lincoln ; or, The Leaguer 
of Boston. By J. Fenimore 

Cooper , 20 

Little Dorrit. By Charles Dick- 
ens. First half 20 

Little Dorrit. By Charles Dick- 
ens. Second half 20 

Little Goldie : A Stor}^ of Wom- 
an’s Love. By Mrs. Sumner 

Hayden 20 

Little Loo. By W. Clark Russell 20 
Little Make-Believe. By B. L. 

Far jeon 10 

Little Pilgrim, A. By Mrs. Oli- 
phant 10 

Little Savage, The. By Captain 

Marryat 10 

Little School-master Mark, The. 

By J. H. Shorthouse 10 

Little Stepson, A. By Florence 

Marryat 10 

Little Tu’penny. By S. Baring- 

Gould 10 

Living or Dead. By Hugh Con- 
way, author of “Called Back ” 20 
Locksley Hall Sixty Years Af- 


ter, etc. By Alfred, Lord 

Tennyson, P.L., D.C.L 10 

Look Before You Leap. By 

Mrs. Alexander 20 

Lord Lynne’s Choice. By Char- 
lotte M. Braeme, author of 

“Dora Thorne” 10 

Lord Vanecourt's Daughter. By 

Mabel Collins 20 

Lorna Doone. By R. D. Black- 

more. First half 20 

Lorna Doone. By R. D. Black- 
more. Second half 20 


Lost Son, A. By Mary Linskill. 10 
Lottery of Life, The. A Story 
of New York Twenty Years 


Ago. By John Brougham .. 20 
Lottery Ticket, The. By F. Du 

Boisgobey 20 

Louisa. By Katharine S. Mac- 

quoid 20 

Love and Life. By Charlotte 

M. Yonge 20 

Love and Mirage; or. The Wait- 
ing on an Island. By M. 

Betham-Ed wards 10 

Love and Money; or, A Peril- 
ous Secret. By Chas. Reade. 10 


437 

20 774 

698 

20 

617 

307 

10 

20 402 

20 

397 

10 

20 94 

20 94 

20 279 

20 109 

10 179 

45 

20 

10 272 

20 111 

20 899 

20 878 

20 804 

10 919 

20 797 

20 92 

20 749 

10 67 

20 67 

10 473 

20 354 

20 453 

20 479 

20 742 

273 

20 

232 

20 

fS> 


THE SEASIDE LIB BABY.— Pocket Edition. 


146 Love Finds the Way, and Other 
Stories. By Walter Besant 


and James Rice 10 

306 Love for a Day. By Charlotte 
M. Braeme, author of “ Dora 

Thorne” 10 

313 Lover’s Creed, The. By Mrs. 


893 Love's Conflict. By -Florence 

Marryat. First half 20 

893 Love’s Conflict. By Florence 

Marryat. Second half 20 

573 Love’s Harvest. B. L. Farjeon 20 
175 Love’s Random Shot. By Wilkie 

Collins 10 

757 Love’s Martyr. By Laurence 

Alma Tadema 10 

291 Love’s Warfare. By Charlotte 
M. Braeme, author of “ Dora 

Thorne” 10 

118 Loys, Lord Berresford. By 

“The Duchess ” 10 

582 Lucia, Hugh and Another. By 

Mrs. J. H. Needell 20 

589 Luck of the Darrells, The. By 

James Pay n 20 

901 Lucky Disappointment, A. B} r 

Florence Marryat 10 

370 Lucy Crofton. By Mrs. Oliphaut 10 


44 Macleod of Dare. Wm. Black. 20 
526 Madame De Presnel. By E. 

Frances Poynter 20 

345 Madam. By Mrs. Oliphant 20 

78 Madcap Violet. By Wm. Black 20 

510 Mad Love, A. By the author of 

“ Lover and Lord ” 10 

69 Madolin’s Lover. Bj^ Charlotte 
M. Braeme, author of “Dora 

Thorne ” 20 

341 Madolin Rivers; or, The Little 
Beauty of Red Oak Seminary. 

By Laura Jean Libbey 20 

377 Magdalen Hepburn : A Story of 
the Scottish Reformation. By 

Mrs. Oliphaut 20 

449 Maiden All Forlorn, A, and Bar- 
bara. By “ The Duchess ”... 10 
64 Maiden Fair, A. Charles Gibbon 10 
121 Maid of Athens. By Justin 

McCarthy 20 

633 Maid of Sker, The. By R. D. 

Blackmore. 1st half 20 

633 Maid of Sker, The. By R. D. 

Blackmore. 2d half 20 

229 Maid, Wife, or Widow? By 

Mrs. Alexander 10 

803 Major Frank. By A. L. G. Bos- 

boom-Toussaint 20 

702 Man and Wife. By Wilkie Col- 
lins. First half 20 

702 Man and Wife. By Wilkie Col- 
lins. Second half 20 

277 Man of His Word, A. By W. 

E. Norris 10 

688 Man of Honor, A. By John 
Strange Winter. Illustrated. 10 


217 

371 

755 

451 

773 

334 

480 

615 

132 

646 

825 

578 

578 

578 


398 


Man She Cared For, The. By 

F. W. Robinson 20 

Margaret Maitland. By Mrs. 

Oliphant 20 

Margery Daw. A Novel 20 

Market Harborough, and Inside 
the Bar. G. J. Whyte-Melville 20 
Mark of Cain, The. By Andrew 

Lang 10 

Marriage of Convenience, A. 

By Harriett Jay 10 

Married in Haste. Edited by 

Miss M. E. Braddon 20 

Mary Anerley. By R. D. Black- 

more 20 

Master Humphrey’s Clock. By 

Charles Dickens 10 

Master of the Mine, The. By 

Robert Buchanan 20 

Master Passion, The. By Flor- 
ence Marryat 20 

Mathias Sandorf. By Jules 

Verne. (Illustrated.) Parti. 10 
Mathias Sandorf. By Jules 

Verne. (Illustrated.) Part II 10 
Mathias Sandorf. By Jules 

Verne. (Illustrated.) Part III 10 
Matt: A Tale of a Caravan. 


723 


330 

791 


337 


771 

424 


406 

31 

31 

187 

763 

729 

492 

876 

692 


390 

414 


By Robert Buchanan 10 

Mauleverer’s Millions. Bj^ T. 

Wemyss Reid 20 

May Blossom : or. Between Two 
Loves. By Margaret Lee — 20 
Mayor of Casterbridge, The. By 

Thomas Hardy ’ 20 

Memoirs and Resolutions of 
Adam Graeme of Mossgray, 
including some Chronicles of 
the Borough of Fendie. By 

Mrs. Oliphant 20 

Mental Struggle, A. By “The 

Duchess ” 20 

Mercedes of Castile; or, The 
Voyage £o Cathay. By J. Fen- 

imore Cooper 20 

Merchant’s Clerk, The. By Sam- 
uel Warren 10 

Middlemarch. Bj^ George Eliot. 

First half 20 

Middlemarch. By George Eliot. 

Second half 20 

Midnight Sun, The. By Fredrika 

Bremer 10 

Midshipman, The, Marmaduke 
Merry. Wm. H. G. Kingston. 20 
Mignon. By Mrs. Forrester... 20 
Mignon ; or. Booties' Baby. By 

J. S. Winter. Illustrated 10 

Mignon’s Secret. John Strange 

Winter 10 

Mikado, The, and other Comic 
Operas. Written by W. S. 
Gilbert. Composed by Arthur 

Sullivan 20 

Mildred Trevanion. By “ The 

Duchess ” 10 

Miles Wallingford. (Sequel to 
“ Afloat and Ashore.”) By J. 
Fenimore Cooper 20 


TEE SEASIDE LIBRARY.— Pocket Edition. 


20 

10 

20 


20 

20 

20 


Mill on the Floss, The. By 

George Eliot 20 

Milly’s Hero. By F. W. Robinson 20 

Millionaire, The 20 

Minister’s Wife, The. By Mrs. 

Oliphant 30 

Miss Brown. By Vernon Lee. . 20 
Miss Bretherton. By Mrs. Hum- 
phry Ward 10 

Miss Harrington’s Husband. By 
Florence Marryat 

Miss Tommy. By Miss Mulock 
Mistletoe Bough, The. Edited 

by Miss M. E. Braddon 

Mistletoe Bough, The. Christ- 
mas, 1885. Edited by Miss M. 

E. Braddon 20 

Mistletoe Bough, The. Christ- 
mas, 1886. Edited by Miss M. 

E. Braddon 20 

Mitchelhurst Place. By Marga- 
ret Veley 10 

Mixed Motives 10 

Modern Telemachus, A. By 

Charlotte M. Yonge 

Mohawks. Miss M. E. Braddon 
Molly Bawn. “ The Duchess ” 
Moment of Madness, A. By 

Florence Marryat 10 

125 Monarch of Mincing Lane, The. 

By William Black 20 

Monastery, The. By Sir Walter 

Scott 20 

Monica.. By “The Duchess”.. 10 
Monikins, The. By J. Fenimore 

Cooper 

Monsieur Lecoq. By Emile 

Gaboriau. Vol. I 

Monsieur Lecoq. By Emile 

Gaboriau. Vol. II 

Moonshine and Marguerites. 

By “The Duchess” 10 

102 Moonstone, The. Wilkie Collins 20 
303 More Bitter than Death. By 
Charlotte M. Braeme, author 

of “ Dora Thorne ” 

More Leaves from the Journal 
of a Life in the Highlands. 

By Queen Victoria 10 

Moths. By “Ouida” 20 

Mount Royal. By Miss M. E. 

Braddon 20 

Mr. Butler’s Ward. By F. Mabel 
Robinson 20 

Mrs. Carr’s Companion. By M. 

G. Wightwick 10 

G75 Mrs. Dymond. By Miss Thacke- 
ray 20 

Mrs. Geoffrey. “The Duchess” 20 
Mrs. Hollyer. By Georgiana M. 

Craik 20 

Mrs. Keith’s Crime 10 


157 

182 

205 

390 

369 

866 

245 

315 

618 


890 


298 

584 

887 

881 

o 

159 


201 

119 

431 

26 

26 

166 


20 

20 

20 


178 


116 

495 

501 

113 


25 

606 


10 


546 

440 

256 

645 


Mrs. Lirriper’s Lodgings. By 


Charles Dickens. 10 

Mr. Smith : A Part of His Life. 

By L. B. Walford 20 

Mrs. Smith of Longmains. By 

Rhoda Broughton 10 

(10) 


339 


20 

10 


Mrs. Vereker's Courier Maid. 

By Mrs. Alexander 16 

Murder or Manslaughter? By 

Helen B. Mathers 10 

My Ducats and My Daughter. 

By the author of “ The Crime 

of Christmas Day ” 

My Friend Jim. By W. E. Norris 
My Friends and I. Edited by 

Julian Sturgis 10 

My Hero. By Mrs. Forrester.. 20 
My Lady Green Sleeves. By 

Helen B. Mathers . 20 

My Lady’s Money. B} r Wilkie 

Collins 10 

My Lord and My Lady. By 

Mrs. Forrester. 20 

“My Own Child.” By Florence 

Marryat 20 

My Poor Wife. By the author 

of “ Addie’s Husband ” 10 

My Sister Kate. By Charlotte 
M. Braeme, author of “ Dora 

Thorne” 10 

My Sister the Actress. By Flor- 
ence Marryat 

Mysteries of Paris, The. By Eu- 
gene Sue. Parti : 

Mysteries of Paris, The. By Eu- 
gene Sue. Part II 

Mysterious Hunter, The; or. 
The Man of Death. By Capt. 

L. C. Carleton 20 

662 Mystery of Allan Grale, The. By 

Isabella Fy vie Mayo 20 

454 Mystery of Edwin brood, The. 

By Chas. Dickens 20 

514 Mystery of Jessy Page, The, 
and Other Tales. By Mrs. 

Henry Wood 10 

43 Mystery of Orcival, The. By 

Emile Gaboriau 20 

Mystery, The. By Mrs. Henry 

Wood 20 

My Ten Years’ Imprisonment. 

By Silvio Pellico 10 

My Wife’s Niece. By the author 
of “ Doctor Edith Romney ”. 

My Young Alcides. By Char- 
lotte M. Yonge 


635 

596 


848 

405 

726 

799 

623 

724 

863 

504 

433 


861 

271 

271 

366 


20 

20 


20 


255 

725 

612 

666 


20 

20 


574 Nabob, The: A Story of Paris- 
ian Life and Manners. By Al- 
phonse Daudet 20 

227 Nancy. By Rhoda Broughton. 20 
509 Nell Hafifenden. By Tighe Hop- 
kins 20 

936 Nellie’s Memories. By Rosa 

Nouchette Carey. 1st half. . . 20 
936 Nellie’s Memories. By Rosa 

Nouchette Carey. 2d half... 20 
181 New Abelard, The. By Robert 

Buchanan 10 

856 New Arabian Nights. By Rob- 
ert Louis Stevenson 20 

464 Newcomes, The. By William 
Makepeace Thackeray. Part 
1 20 


THE SEASIDE LIBRARY.- Pocket Edition. 


464 Newcomes, The. By William 
Makepeace Thackeray. Part 

II 20 

52 New Magdalen, The. By Wilkie 

Collins 10 

37 Nicholas Nickleby. By Charles 

Dickens. First half 20 

37 Nicholas Nickleby. By Charles 

Dickens. Second half 20 

900 Nine of Hearts, The. By B. L. 

Farjeon 20 

105 Noble Wife, A. John Saunders 20 
864 “ No Intentions.” By Florence 

Marryat 20 

565 No Medium. By Annie Thomas 10 
290 Nora’s Love Test. By Mary 

Cecil Hay 20 

595 North Country Maid, A. By 

Mrs. H. Lovett Cameron 20 

812 No Saint. By Adeline Sergeant. 20 
168 No Thoroughfare. By Dickens 

and Collins 10 

215 Not Like Other Girls. By Rosa 

Nouchette Carey 20 

765 Not Wisely. But Too Well. By 

Rhoda Broughton 20 

614 No. 99. By Arthur Griffiths... 10 

766 No. XIII. ; or, The Story of the 

Lost Vestal. Emma Marshall 10 
640 Nuttie’s Father. By Charlotte 
M. Yonge 20 


425 Oak-Openings, The; or. The 
Bee-Hunter. By J. Fenimore 

Cooper 20 

211 Octoroon, The. By Miss M. E. 

Braddon 10 

183 Old Contrairy, and Other Sto- 
ries. By Florence Marryat.. 10 
10 Old Curiosity Shop, The". By 

Charles Dickens 20 

410 Old Lady Mary. By Mrs. Oli- 

phant ".. 10 

858 Old Ma’m’selle’s Secret. By E. 

Marlitt 20 

72 Old Myddelton’s Money. Bj t 

Mary Cecil Hay 20 

645 Oliver’s Bride. By Mrs. Oliphant 10 
41 Oliver Twist. By Chas. Dickens 20 

605 Ombra. By Mrs. Oliphant 20 

280 Omnia Vanitas. A Tale of So- 
ciety. By Mrs. Forrester 10 

883 Once Again. By Mrs. Forrester 20 
143 One False, Both Fair. By John 

B. Harwood 20 

342 One New Year’s Eve. By “ The 

Duchess” 10 

840 One Thing Needful; or. The 
Penalty of Fate. By Miss M. 

E. Braddon 20 

384 On Horseback Through Asia 
Minor. By Captain Fred Bur- 
naby. 20 

498 Only a Clod. By Miss M. E. 

Braddon 20 

496 Only a Woman. Edited by Miss 
M. E. Braddon 20 


655 Open Door, The. By Mrs. Oli- 


phant 1(7 

708 Ormond. By Maria Edgeworth 20 
12 Other People’s Money. By 

Emile Gaboriau 20 

639 Othmar. By “ Ouida ” 20 

859 Ottilie: An Eighteenth Century 

Idyl. By Vernon Lee 20 

838 Ought We to Visit Her? By 

Mrs. Annie Edwards 20 

131 Our Mutual Friend. By Charles 

Dickens. First half 20 

131 Our Mutual Friend. By Charles 

Dickens. Second half 20 

747 Our Sensation Novel. Edited 

by Justin H. McCarthy, M.P. 10 
925 Outsider, The. Hawley Smart 20 
870 Out of His Reckoning. By Flor- 
ence Marryat-. 10 


530 Pair of Blue Eyes, A. By Thom- 
as Hardy 20 

587 Parson o’* Dumford, The. By 

G. Manville Fenn 20 

238 Pascarel. By “Ouida” 20 

822 Passion Flower, A. A Novel... 20 

517 Passive Crime, A, and Other 

Stories. By “ The Duchess ” 10 
886 Pastou Carew, Millionaire and 


Miser. Mrs. E. Lynn Linton 20 
309 Pathfinder, The.. By J. Feni- 


more Cooper 20 

720 Paul Clifford. By Sir E. Bulwer 

L.vtton, Bart 20 

571 Paul Carew’s Stor} r . By Alice 

Corny ns Carr 10 

525 Paul Vargas, and Other Stories. 

By Hugh Conway, author of 

“Called Back” 10 

449 Peeress and Player. By Flor- 
ence Marryat 20 

613 Percy and the Prophet. By 

Wilkie Collins 10 

776 Pere Goriot. By H. De Balzac 20 
314 Peril. By Jessie Fothergill ... 20 
568 Perpetual Curate, The. By Mrs. 

Oliphant 20 

133 Peter the Whaler. By William 

H. G. Kingston 10 

868 PetroneL By Florence Marryat 20 
392 Peveril of the Peak. By Sir 

Walter Scott 20 

326 Phan ta stes. A Faerie Romance 
for Men and Women, By 

George Macdonald 10 

56 Phantom Fortune. By Miss M. 

E. Braddon 20 

845 Philip Earnsclilfe ; or, The Mor- 
als of May Fair. By Mrs. 

Annie Edwards 20 

336 Philistia. By Cecil Power 20 

669 Philosophy of Whist, The. By 

William Pole 20 

903 Phyllida. By Florence Marryat 20 
16 Phyllis. By “The Duchess”.. 20 
372 Phyllis’ Probation. By the au- 
thor of “ His Wedded Wife 10 


THE SEASIDE LIBRARY.- Pocket Edition. 


537 Piccadilly. Laurence Oliphant 10 
24 Pickwick Papers. By Charles 


Dickens. Vol. 1 20 

24 Pickwick Papers. By Charles 

Dickens. Vol. II 20 

448 Pictures From Italy, and The 
Mudfog Papers, &e. By Chas. 
Dickens 20 


206 Picture, The, and Jack of All 


Trades. By Charles Reade. .. 10 
264 Pi6douche, a French Detective. 

By Fortund Du Boisgobey... 10 
318 Pioneers, The ; or, The Sources 
of the Susquehanna. By J. 

Fenimore Cooper 20 

393 Pirate, The. By Sir Walter Scott 20 
850 Playwright’s Daughter, A. By 

Mrs. Annie Edwards 10 

818 Pluck. By John Strange Winter 10 
869 Poison of Asps, The. By Flor- 
ence Marry at 10 

836 Point of Honor, A. By Mrs. An- 
nie Edwards 20 

329 Polish Jew, The. (Translated 
from the French by Caroline 
A. Merighi.) By Erckmann- 

Chatrian 10 

831 Pomegranate Seed. By the au- 
thor of “The Two Miss Flem- 
ings,” etc 20 

902 Poor Gentleman, A. By Mrs. 

Oliphant 20 

325 Portent, The. By George Mac- 
donald 10 

6 Portia. By “The Duchess ”... 20 
655 Portrait, The. By Mrs. Oliphant 10 
558 Poverty Corner. By G. Mauville 

Fenn 20 

310 Prairie, The. By J. Fenimore 

Cooper 20 

422 Precaution. By J. Fenimore 

Cooper 20 

828 Prettiest Woman in Warsaw, 

The. By Mabel Collins 20 

697 Pretty Jailer, The. By F. Du 

Boisgobey. 1st half 20 

697 Pretty Jailer, The. By F. Du 

Boisgobey. 2d half 20 

207 Pretty Miss Neville. By B. M. 

Croker 20 

475 Prima Donna’s Husband, The. 

By F. Du Boisgobey 20 


531 Prime Minister, The. By An- 
thony Trollope. First Half.. 20 
531 Prime Minister, The. By An- 
thony Trollope. Second Half 20 
624 Primus in Indis. By M. J. Col- 


quhoun 10 

249 “Prince Charlie's Daughter.” 

By Charlotte M. Braeme,, au- 
thor of “ Dora Thorne ” 10 

556 Prince of Darkness, A. By F. 

Warden 20 

859 Prince of the 100 Soups, The. 

Edited by Vernon Lee 20 

704 Prince Otto. By R. L. Steven- 
son 10 

355 Princess Dagomar of Poland, 

The. Heinrich Felbermann. 10 

( 12 ) 


228 Princess Napraxine. “ Ouida ” 20 
23 Princess of Thule, A. By Will- 
iam Black 20 

88 Privateersman, The. By Cap- 
tain Marry at 20 

321 Prodigals, The: And Their In- 
heritance. By Mrs. Oliphant. 10 
144 Promises of Marriage. By Emile 

Gaboriau 10 

260 Proper Pride. By B. M. Croker 10 
912 Pure Gold. By Mrs. H. Lovett 

Cameron 20 

516 Put Asunder; or, Lady Castle- 
maine’s Divorce. By Char- 
lotte M. Braeme, author of 

“Dora Thorne” 20 

487 Put to the Test. Edited by 

Miss M. E. Braddon 20 

214 Put Yourself in His Place. By 
Charles Reade 20 


68 Queen Amongst Women, A. By 
Charlotte M. Braeme, author 

of “Dora Thorne” 10 

932 Queenie’s Whim. ByRosaNou- 

chette Carey. 1st half 20 

932 Queenie’s Whim. ByRosaNou- 

chette Carey. 2d half 20 

591 Queen of Hearts, The. By Wil- 
kie Collins 20 

641 Rabbi’s Spell, The. By Stuart 

C. Cumberland li 

147 Rachel Ray. By Antlion} 7 Troll- 
ope 20 

661 Rainbow Gold. By David Chris- 
tie Murray 20 

433 Rainy June, A. B3 7 “ Ouida ”.. 10 
700 Ralph the Heir. By Anthony 

Trollope. First half 20 

700 Ralph the Heir. By Anthony 

Trollope. Second half 20 

815 Ralph Wilton’s Weird. By Mrs. 

Alexander 10 

442 Ranthorpe. By George Henry 

Lewes 20 


780 Rare Pale Margaret. By the au- 
thor of “ What’s His Offence?” 20 
327 Raymond’s Atonement. (From 
the German of E. Werner.) 


By Christina Tyrrell 20 

210 Readiana: Comments on Cur- 
rent Events. By Chas. Reade 10 
768 Red as a Rose is She. By Rhoda 

Broughton 20 

918 Red Band, The. By F. Du Bois- 
gobey. First half 20 

918 Red Band, The. By F. Du Bois- 
gobey. Second half 20 

381 Red Cardinal, The. By Frances 

Elliot 10 

73 Redeemed by Love; or, Love’s 
Victory. By Charlotte M. 
Braeme, author of “ Dora 

Thorne ” 20 

89 Red Eric, The. By R. M. Ballan- 
tyne . r.. 10 


THE SEASIDE LIBRARY.- Pocket Edition. 


463 Red gauntlet. By Sir Walter 

Scott 

580 Red Route, The. By William 

Si me 

361 Red Rover, The. A Tale of the 
Sea. By J. Fenimore Cooper 
421 Redskins, The; or, Indian and 
Injin. Being the conclusion 
of the Littlepage Manuscripts. 

By J. Fenimore Cooper 

427 Remarkable History • of Sir 
Thomas Upmore, Bart., M.P., 
The. Formerly known as 
“ Tommy Upmore.” By R. 

D. Blackmore 

237 Repented at Leisure. By Char- 
lotte M. Braeme, author of 

“Dora Thorne” 

740 Rhona. By Mrs. Forrester 

375 Ride to Khiva, A. By Captain 
Fred Burnaby, of the Royal 

Horse Guards 

816 Rogues and Vagabonds. By 
George R. Sims, author of 

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396 Robert Ord’s Atonement. By 

Rosa Noucliette Carey 

190 Romance of a Black Veil. By 
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of “Dora Thorne” 

66 Romance of a Poor Young Man, 
The. By Octave Feuillet.... 
139 Romantic Adventures of a Milk- 
maid. The. By Thomas Hardy 
898 Romeo and Juliet: A Tale of 
Two. Young Fools. By Will- 
iam Black 

42 Romola. By Geprge Eliot 

360 Ropes of Sand. By R. E. Francil- 

lon 

664 Rory O'More. By Samuel Lover 
193 Rosary Folk, The. By G. Man- 

ville Fenn 

670 Rose and the Ring, The. By 
W. M. Thackeray. Illustrated 
119 Rose Distill’d, A. By “The 

Duchess” 

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296 Rose in Thorns, A. By Char- 
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129 Rossmoyne. By “ The Duchess ” 
180 Round the Galley Fire. By W. 

Clark Russell 

566 Royal Highlanders, The; or, 
The Black Watch in Egypt. 

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736 Roy and Viola. Mrs. Forrester 
409 Roy’s Wife. By G. J. Whyte- 

Melville 

489 Rupert Godwin. By Miss M. E. 

Braddon 

457 Russians at the Gates of Herat, 
The. By Charles Marvin . ... 

616 Sacred Nugget, The. By B. L. 

Far jeon 

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Clark Russell 


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Jane Porter. 1st half 20 

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Jane Porter. 2d half 20 

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Russell 20 

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Thorne” 20 

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Hall Caine 20 

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Signa. By“Ouida” 20 

Silas Marner: The Weaver of 
Raveloe. By George Eliot... 10 
Silent Shore, The. By John 

Bloundelle- Burton 20 

Silvermead. By Jean Middle- 

mas 20 

Singer’s Story, A. By May 

Laffan 10 

Sinless Secret, A. By “ Rita ” 10 
Sin of a Lifetime, The. By 
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610 Story of Dorothy Grape, The, 
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53 Story of Ida, The. By Francesca 10 


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756 Strange Adventures of Captain 


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686 Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and 
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592 Strange Voyage, A. By W. 

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559 Taken at the Flood. By Miss 

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117 Tale of the Shore and Ocean, A. 

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343 Talk of the Town, The. By 

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213 Terrible Temptation, A. By 

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696 Thaddeus of Warsaw. By Miss 

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355 That Terrible Man. By W. E. 

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892 That Winter Night; or, Love's 

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48 Thicker Than Water. By James 

Payn 20 

184 Thiriby Hall. By W. E. Norris 20 
148 Thorns and Orange-Blossoms. 

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thor of “Dora Thorne” 10 

275 Three Brides, The. By Char- 
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775 Three Clerks, The. By Anthony 

Trollope 20 

124 Three Feathers. By Wm. Black 20 
55 Three Guardsmen, The. By 

Alexander Dumas 20 

382 Three Sisters; or, Sketches of 
a Highly Original Family. 


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THE SEASIDE LI 13 HA Hi. — rocket Edition. 


789 Through the Looking-Glass, 
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By Lewis Carroll. With fifty 
illustrations by John Tenniel. 
471 Thrown on the World. By Char- 
lotte M. Braeme, author of 

“ Dora Thorne ” 

833 Ticket No. ‘‘9672.” By Jules 

Verne. First half 

367 Tie and Trick. By Hawley Smart 
485 Tinted Vapours. By J. Maclaren 

Cobban 

503 Tinted Venus, The. By F. Anstey 
120 Tom Brown's School Days at 
Rugby. By Thomas Hughes. 
243 Tom Burke of “Ours.” By 
Charles Lever. First half... 
243 Tom Burke of “Ours.” By 
Charles Lever. Second half. 
557 To the Bitter End. By Miss M. 

E. Braddon 

879 Touchstone of Peril, The. By 

R. E. Forrest 

888 Treasure Island. Robert Louis 

Stevenson 

853 True Magdalen, A. By Char- 
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346 Tumbledown Farm. By Alan 

Muir 

100 20,000 Leagues Under the Seas. 

By Jules Verne 

75 Twenty Years After. Bj r Alex- 
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714 ’Twixt Love and Duty. By 

Tighe Hopkins 

349 Two Admirals, The. A Tale of 
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Cooper 

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Thorne ” 

784 Two Miss Flemings, The. By au- 
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242 Two Orphans, The. By D’En- 

nery 

563 Two Sides of the Shield, The. 

By Charlotte M. Yonge 

311 Two Years Before the Mast. 

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407 Tylhey Hall. By Thomas Hood 


862 Ugly Barrington. By “ The 

Duchess.” 

137 Uncle Jack. By Walter Besant 
541 Uncle Jack. By Walter Besant 
930 Uncle Max. By Rosa Nouchette 

Carey 

152 Uncommercial Traveler, The. 

By Charles Dickens 

174 Under a Ban. By Mrs. Lodge. 
460 Under a Shadow. By Char- 
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852 Under Five Lakes; or, The 
Cruise of the “ Destroyer.” 
By M. Quad ' 


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Under Which King? By Comp- 
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Unfairly Won. By Mrs. Power 

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Unforeseen, The. By Alice 

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Unholy Wish, The. By Mrs. 

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Until the Day Breaks. By 

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“Us.” An Old-fashioned Story. 

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Vagrant Wife, A. By F. Warden 20 
Valentine Strange. By David 

Christie Murray 20 

Valerie's Fate. By Mrs. Alex- 


Vanity Fair. By William M. 

Thackeray 20 

Venus’s Doves. By Ida Ash- 
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Vera Nevill; or, Poor Wisdom’s 
Chance. Bj r Mrs. H. Lovett 

Cameron 20 

Very Hard Cash. By Charles 

Reade 20 

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Victor and Vanquished. By 

Mary Cecil Hay 20 

Victory Deane. By Cecil Griffith 20 
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“ Guilty Without Crime ” 10 

Viva. By Mrs. Forrester 20 

Vivian Grey. By the Rt. Hon. 
Benjamin Disraeli, Earl of 
Beaconsfield. First half 20 


Vivian Grey. By the Rt. Hon. 
Benjamin Disraeli. Earl of 
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Annie Fdwards 20 

Vixen. By Miss M. E. Braddon 20 
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Voyage to the Cape, A. By W. 


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Waif of the “ Cynthia,” The. 

By Jules Verne 20 

Wanda, Countess von Szalras. 

By “Ouida” 20 

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Warden, The. By Anthony 
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512 Waters of Hercules, The 20 

112 Waters of Marah, The. B}^ John 

Hill 20 

359 Water-Witch, The. By J. Feni- 

more Cooper 20 

401 Waverley. By Sir Walter Scott 20 
195 “ Way of the World, The.” By 

David Christie Murray 20 

415 Ways of the Hour, The. Bj r J. 

Fenimore Cooper 20 

344 “Wearing of the Green, The.” 

By Basil 20 

312 Week in Killarney, A. By “ The 

Duchess” 10 

458 Week of Passion, A ; or, The 
Dilemma of Mr. George Bar- 
ton the Younger. B3 7 Edward 

Jenkins 20 

79 Wedded and Parted. By Char- 
lotte M. Braeme, author of 

“Dora Thorne” 10 

628 Wedded Hands. B} r the author 

of “ My Lady’s Folly ” 20 

400 Wept of Wish-Ton- Wish, The. 

By J. Fenimore Cooper 20 

637 What’s His Offence? A Novel. 20 
722 What’s Mine’s Mine. By George 

Macdonald 20 

679 W T here Two Ways Meet. By 

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220 Which Loved Him Best? By 
Charlotte M. Braeme, author 

of “ Dora Thorne ” 10 

236 Which Shall It Be? By Mrs. 

Alexander... 20 


627 White Heather. By Wm. Black 20 
70 White Wings: A Yachting Ro- 
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335 White Witch, The. A Novel. . . 20 
849 Wicked Girl, A. Mary Cecil Hay 20 


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76 Wife in Name Only; or, A Bro- 
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254 Wife’s Secret, The, and Fair but 
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908 Willful Young Woman, A 20 

761 Will Weatherhelm. By William 

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373 Wing-and-Wing. By J. Feni- 
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472 Wise Women of Inverness, 

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432 Witch’s Head, The. By H. 

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872 With Cupid’s Eyes. By Flor- 
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358 Within the Clasp. By J. Ber- 
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809 Witness My Hand. By the au- 
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705 Woman I Loved, The, and the 
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701 Woman in White, The. "Wilkie 
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854 Woman’s Error, A. By Char- 
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322 Woman’s Love-Story, A. By 
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459 Woman’s Temptation, A. By 
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821 World Between Them, The. By 
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906 World Went Very Well Then, 

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865 Written in Fire. By Florence 

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380 Wyandotte ; or, The Hutted 
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434 Wy llard’s Weird. By Miss M. E. 

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709 Zenobia; or. The Fall of Pal- 


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